SURVIVING members of Boko Haram's army celebrated Sallah in style last week slaughtering rams and holding formal prayer sessions within the rest of their enclave in total defiance of the Nigerian military. 

Over recent weeks, the Nigerian Army has enjoyed a lot of success displacing Boko Haram from its numerous strongholds and reclaiming territory in the 14 local government areas it controlled at the start of the year. In conjunction with its Chadian, Cameroonian and Niger Republic counterparts, the Nigerian military has mounted numerous successful raids against the terrorists over-running dozens of the camps. 

However, despite this, Boko Haram is still visibly present in several towns and villages in northeastern Nigeria and in a show of strength decided to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir in style last Thursday and Friday. At an unknown enclave, the terrorists were seen calmly observing prayers in the company of their families, with their rifles nearby. 

In another picture published by the terrorists, their leaders were shown slaughtering rams to mark the occasion. It is not certain where and when the pictures were taken but they were clearly published by the sect to show that it is still alive and operational. 

Newly-elected President Muhammadu Buhari has given the Nigerian military up until the end of the year to defeat Boko Haram. He recently told the United Nations that his government also intends to rescue the Chibok girls abducted in April last year and return them to their families.