I don’t know where Shekau is – Chadian President

The Chadian President, Idris Derby, Monday, made a volte-face as he said that he does not know the where about of  the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.

President Derby had in a widely circulated claim said some months ago that he knew where the Boko Haram leader was hiding and had warned him to surrender or risk being killed by Chadian forces.

But speaking with state House correspondents after meeting with President Jonathan, President Derby said even if he knew where the terrorist was, he would not say where he is.     See more after cut

“I cannot tell you today that I know where Shekau is hiding ‎and even if I knew, I won’t tell you” he said tersely in an answer to a question.

President Derby hinted that the inability of the Nigerian and Chadian army to carry out joint operations may have affected the success of the on-going operations in the North-East to tackle Boko Haram.

“It is regrettable that the two armies, that is the Nigerian army and the Chadian Army are working separately  in the field, they are not undertaking joint operation. If they were operating joint operation, probably they would have achieved more results” he said.

He said he was in the Presidential Villa to consult with President Jonathan on the fight against terrorism and to congratulate him for setting a good record for Africa by conceding defeat in the just concluded election.