A video obtained by AFP on Sunday showed Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau declaring that he has created an Islamic caliphate in a northeast Nigeria town seized by his men earlier this month.

Shekau in the 52-minute video, said, “Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in (the town of) Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate”.

According to him, Gwoza, in Borno State, now has “nothing to do with Nigeria. By the grace of Allah we will not leave the town. We have come to stay”.

The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) earlier this month confirmed reports that Gwoza was under rebel control.

Boko Haram is also believed to be controlling other areas near Gwoza in southern Borno, as well as large swathes of territory in northern Borno and at least one town in neighbouring Yobe State.

Reports say that soldiers had earlier this week refused to deploy to Gwoza without better weapons in an apparent mutiny.

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