ABUJA, Nigeria, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Abubakar Shekau, an Islamic extremist leader in Nigeria, released a video Saturday, claiming responsibility for a Dec. 20 attack on a tank battalion barracks.
Shekau, who has a $7.3 million bounty on his head, said in his video that his men, from the al-Qaida-linked Boko Haram, will continue to attack locations within Nigeria and warned about attacks on Christians during the holidays in December, Sky News reported.
However, there were no attacks on Christians or churches during Christmas.
"This is to show our Muslim brethren that victory comes from Allah. This is just a tip of the ice berg regarding the booty Allah has blessed us with, the booty which took our brothers day and night to cart away," Shekau said. "Our fighters stormed Bama [(military] barracks. Allah threw them [troops] into confusion through some servants of Allah who dedicated themselves to Allah. Allah finished them. They bragged, they said whatever pleased them to the extent of claiming they have cleansed Bama, now that they have sticks-wielding vigilantes. Even Jonathan praised them, saying Bama are steadfast."
Shekau sent the video via email to a select number of journalists, ThisDay Live reported.
"Had Allah allowed us to eat them we would have eaten them but we are not cannibals because we are not spirits or animals. As for killing, we will kill [for] Allah, if he says we should decapitate, we should amputate the limbs, we should mutilate," Shekau said.
He then claimed responsibility for attacks in Damaturu, Maiduguri and later Bama, calling them victories from Allah. "We were amazed by the victory in Damaturu, then a greater victory was achieved in Maiduguri and now Bama operation is better than Maiduguri. And tomorrow we will go to."
Shekau went on to ridicule bounties placed on his head.
"What is N50 million ($7.3 million)? Do you know what we are doing? Your armored tank is worth more than N50 million and we burnt it. Haven't we burnt your aircraft? What is N50 million? We do not worship money. As for he who is in our midst for money, Allah has taken care of him. Hypocrites who lived with the Prophet could not harm him. You can't in anyway harm me."
