All the times bounties have been placed on head of Boko Haram leader

The Nigerian army is offering the sum of N3million to anyone with credible information that will lead to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

“Anybody with such credible information can either contact the military command and control centre, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, any military location, security agencies or call the Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre 193,” Army spokesperson, Sani Usman announced.

Usman also added that Shekau has been running scared across northern Nigeria in a hijab.

“We reliably gathered that to avoid detection, Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab.

“He is running for his dear life. He is desperately trying to escape the Theatre, disguises as a woman and dresses in hijab", Usman said.

Before you point anyone in a hijab (who bears some close resemblance to Shekau) to the authorities, here are all the times no one has claimed the money on offer for Shekau.

1. N50m offer for Shekau

In November of 2012, the Joint military Task Force (JTF) put various cash rewards on the table for information leading to the capture of the leaders of Boko Haram.

“They are wanted in connection with terrorist activities particularly in the North East Zone of Nigeria that led to the killings, bombings and assassination of some civilians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, businessmen, politicians, civil servants and security personnel amongst others,” spokesperson of the JTF at the time, Lt.Col Sagir Musa, announced.

There was a reward of N50million on the table for anyone who could point soldiers to Shekau and N25m each on four other Boko Haram terrorists.

It’s been six years now and no has claimed those monies.

2. $7m for Shekau’s head on a platter

In June of 2013, the United States government said it will offer $7million to anyone who produces Shekau dead or alive—or to anyone who comes forward with information that will lead to Shekau’s capture.

That $7million remains unclaimed.

3. N3m for Shekau, anyone?

It says a lot about Shekau that his value has now depreciated to just N3million.

That’s the money the army is offering for Shekau in February 2018.

On July 23, 2017, Nigeria’s army Chief, Lt General Tukur Buratai, instructed the theatre Commander of operation Lafiya Doleto get him Abubakar Shekau in 40 days--dead or alive.

However, that ultimatum went the way of others before it. Shekau has remained as elusive as they come.

There have also been numerous claims by the army in the past that it has killed Shekau or that the terrorist kingpin has been “fatally wounded”.

A Shekau propaganda video and more terrorist attacks often follow these claims.