Islamist group Boko Haram released a video on Sunday showing their leader declaring an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza, a town located in the northeastern region of Nigeria.

The video marks the first time in over five years of insurgency that Boko Haram declared a territorial claim in Nigeria. The group's leader said they are now ruling the town of Gwoza according to Islamic law, Bernama reported.

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The Nigerian military, on the other hand, denied Boko Haram's claims. However, some witnesses testified that the militant group pushed out police and military from Gwoza during a week-long encounter earlier this month.

Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram chief, led his forces to fight against the government in 2009. The long-standing violent uprising has left thousands dead since then.

Shekau's group is now seen as the top threat to Africa's main energy producer. The militant leader uses his videotaped speeches to create an image of himself as the biggest threat to Africa's energy industry.

In the recently released video, the militant rambles about his goal to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. He announced that Allah caused his forces to succeed in taking over the town of Gwoza.

Shekau explained that Allah commanded them to control the Nigerian town and the "rest of the world" according to Islamic law. He implied that this is just the beginning of his group's mission.

Aside from Shekau's declaration, the 52-minute video also showed around 20 civilians being shot dead, BBC News added.

Meanwhile, local media ThisDay cited Major-General Chris Olukolade saying Shekau's declaration of an Islamic caliphate in the northern Nigerian town was "false and empty."

The Boko Haram leader previously released a video congratulating the Islamic State (IS) for its offensive in Iraq and Syria. However, he did not confirm if his group is affiliated with or is supporting the IS.

Gwoza has 265,000 residents, based on the latest census. It is adjacent to Chibok, the place where Boko Haram abducted over 200 school-aged girls in April.

TagsBoko Haram, Gwoza, Nigeria, Bernama, BBC News, Abubakar Shekau, Africa, Allah, Iraq, Chibok