Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters said on Thursday it was studying the claims made in a video purportedly released by terrorists showing their leader, Abubakar Shekau who dismissed his death as propaganda.

A statement posted in the DHQ website said that from immediate observation, the video did not indicate when it was shot and any proof “of life or currency such as screen time or date’’.

Composite picture of two Shekaus: the dead ‘Shekau’ and the resurrected Shekau as seen in a new video

“The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death,’’ it said.

The statement noted that air plane mentioned in the video had been missing before he (Shekau) was killed.

Shekau as he appears in new video

“It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

Please watch the video of ‘Shekau”s death here: https://thenewsnigeria.com.ng2014/09/29/in-video-the-shekau-killed-may-not-be-the-wanted-shekau/

“As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September.

“The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death,’’ it said.

The statement restated that justice would be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in any act of terror.

The DHQ confirmed the death of Mohammed Bashir alias Abubakar Shekau on September 24, saying he was killed in an operation in Konduga.

The exact day when he was killed him as stated by the military was 17 September. The confirmation was only done on 24 September, after Cameroon military had also claimed its men killed ‘Shekau’ in a pursuit onto Nigerian territory.

“So, while waiting to see the new video before any further statement, our message to them is that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation…”