Boko Haram video shows beheading of Nigeria pilot

Image
AP Lagos (Nigeria)
Last Updated : Oct 03 2014 | 8:50 PM IST
A new Boko Haram video shows the beheading of a man identified as the pilot of a missing Nigerian Air Force jet and burnt out parts of a plane the first indication that Nigeria's homegrown Islamic extremist group has the capability to bring down aircraft.
It also allegedly features Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, a man Nigeria's military twice has claimed to kill in 2009 and again last year. Two weeks ago the military said they had killed in battle a Shekau lookalike who had posed in the group's videos.
"Here I am, alive and I will remain alive until the day Allah takes away my breath," the man says in the Hausa language. "Even if you kill me ... It will not stop us imposing Islamic rule ... We are still in our Islamic state, reigning and teaching the Koran."
The United States still has a USD 7 million ransom on Shekau's head, despite the death claims.
The video was made available to The Associated Press through the same channels used previously and seems to show the same man claiming to be Shekau.
In the latest video, he says they are prosecuting in accordance with Shariah law in areas under their control.
Examples of punishments are shown, including the stoning death of a man apparently accused of adultery, the amputation of the hand of a young man accused of theft, the lashings of a man and what appears to be a girl covered in the hijab.
The video ends with a show of burnt out plane parts in rugged bush.
Two pilots and an Alpha jet have been missing since Sept. 11 when it left the northeastern town of Yola on a bombing mission against Boko Haram.
The video shows a kneeling man in a camouflage vest with his right hand in a sling, with a fighter hovering over him with an axe, which is later used in the beheading.
Speaking in English, the victim identifies himself as a wing commander in the Nigerian Air Force and says he was undertaking a mission in Kauri area of northeast Borno state on September 11.
"We were shot down and our aircraft crashed," he says, appearing to keep his composure throughout the ordeal. "To this day I don't know the whereabouts of my second pilot." Shekau claims in the video to have brought down 10 military aircraft.
Nigeria's Defense Headquarters has denied speculation that Boko Haram brought down a helicopter gunship that crashed in August. The pilot died, two crew members survived.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 03 2014 | 8:50 PM IST

Next Story