Nigerian army says Boko Haram leader flees, dressing as woman

ABUJA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian army on Tuesday said it has "reliable information" that the leader of Boko Haram now disguises as a woman in his attempt to escape from the theater of operation by troops.

The army said Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, now alternates between blue and black hijabs to avoid detection by troops.

"He is running for his dear life. He is desperately trying to escape the theater, disguised as a woman and dressed in hijab," the army said in a statement.

Shekau was last seen wearing a black hijab, the army said, adding that concerted efforts are ongoing to track and catch the fugitive terrorist leader.

Boko Haram has been trying since 2009 to establish an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria, killing more than 15,000 people and displacing millions of others. Enditem