In a video released, Abubakar Shekau Boko Haram Leader had nothing but praise for his fighters after taking control of Gwoza a town in Borno.
In his statement “Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate”
This is the largest territory seized by the militant group, and residents claim their flag was spotted at Emir’s palace indicating they have control over the town with a population of 265,000 according to census.
Whether the declaration has affiliations with that of the IS in Syria and Iraq remains to be seen as little conclusion can be drawn admist the situation, although there was no mention of a link between the parties in the video.