‘I’ll Trek From Abuja To Maiduguri If Shekau Is Captured, Islamic Cleric Says

An Islamic cleric, Ali Ahmad, has promised to walk from Abuja to Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno, if Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, is captured by the Nigerian Military.

He made the vow to embark on ‘foot journey’ to the Borno State capital from Abuja to celebrate the Nigerian troops if they successfully capture the ‘heartless’ terrorist.

The journey is estimated to be 844 kilometers (approximately 70 miles per hour).

It can be recalled that recently the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai ordered soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the Northeast to arrest Shekau within 40 days, either dead or alive.

The 37 years old cleric made this statement while speaking during a prayer organized on Wednesday, by some religious bodies to render Boko Haram spiritual base useless.

The religious groups are embarking on a 40-day prayer and fasting to God to bring to an end the destructive and murderous activities of the Islamic extremists in Nigeria.

While addressing the religious groups at the Unity Fountain, Ahmad, who claimed to be an indigene of one of the villages that was attacked by the Boko Haram members in January 2015, said he lost his wives and two children when the insurgents attacked his village, Gudumbaji, Guzamala LGA of Borno State.

“I was doing fine with my family in Maiduguri until January 2015 when the Boko Haram members attacked the Monday Market and killed several people.

“I was in Kano that day to buy goods when I got a call from my house that my wife, Zaina and two sons have been killed by bomb blast. I lost everything I had and I had no choice than to move my remaining family to my village in Gudumbali. From there I moved to Abuja,” he said.

The father of three, who attributed the cause of his misfortunes to the activities of Shekau and his men, said he would be the most joyful person if the extremist is eventually captured.

“I am ready to trek from Lagos to Maiduguri if he is arrested. I don’t mind my age and strength. Shekau is an evil man and deserves to die. He will not go unpunished,” Ahmad added.

While appreciating the efforts of the Nigerian Military in tackling the insurgents, Ahmad said the battle is now between good and evil and that offering prayers to God for protection and strength for the soldiers is very important.

He said, “Our military deserves all the support and encouragement from spiritual and political leadership of the country to totally wipe away their tears in the north eastern part of the country. It will be everyone’s joy to see Shekau in chains.”