LAGOS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Authority of the Nigerian Army has described the latest video purportedly showing the Boko Haram leader as "mere terrorist propaganda."
In a statement made available to Xinhua on Friday, Nigerian Army spokesman Sani Usman said they had noticed the video clip released by the group from an undisclosed location, showing its purported leader making spurious claims.
In the video, the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau denied that the group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest stronghold.
"While effort is ongoing to subject the video for further forensic analysis, the Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it has captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorists group in the Sambisa forest," Usman said.
"We would like to reassure the public that this video is nothing but mere terrorist propaganda aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant," he said.
He urged the public to go about their normal lawful business, remain vigilant and security conscious and to report suspicious persons.
Last week, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced that the era of Boko Haram militants had ended after soldiers raided the group's "last stronghold" in Sambisa.
The president said in a statement that he was "most proud" to receive the "long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists."
Shekau last appeared in a video in September where he disputed a claim by the Nigerian military that he had been wounded in battle and vowed to continue fighting until an Islamic state was imposed in northern Nigeria.
Boko Haram launched military operations in 2009 in a bid to create Islamic State in Nigeria, while declaring a caliphate in areas it controlled in 2014.
The insurgents broke into a school dormitory in Chibok town, Borno state, abducting over 200 schoolgirls in April, 2014.
Two years down the line, many have managed to escape from the hands of the terrorists, and in October, a set of 21 girls were released through collaborative efforts.
