4 Important Details to Note About Shekau's New Boko Haram Video

Abubakar Shekau, a cat with nine lives who has been killed over and over again by the Nigerian troops released a video yesterday and a qualitative analysis has led to some strong assertions.

Abubakar Shekau on Thursday appeared in a new Boko Haram video which was posted on Youtube. Speaking a language confirmed to be Arabic, the Boko Haram leader reportedly said he's done and called for his flock to follow suit.

Here are the little details to note about the video.

1. It is easy to see that the video was poorly shot and edited. The background was edited in crude graphics and his voice had a reverberating echo.

2. Shekau doesn't look like his energetic self. The militant looked weak and emaciated. He appears to have lost weight.

3. His voice. Shekau sounded solemn and subdued. Not commanding and challenging like he used to be.

4. His body language. Shekau's shoulders were slumped and slouchy, like a student who just learned he failed his final year exams.

 

Towards the end of the video he delivered his messages with his neck angled slightly downwards and his head cocked in an apologizing manner, like a sinner asking for forgiveness for his atrocities.

 

Last year, Shekau released an audio recording saying he is still alive. He sounded subdued in the recording as well. Nigerian military authorities have undertaken forensic investigations on the video footage.