The US Department of State has announced a $7 million (N2.5 billion) reward to anyone that can provide credible information that will lead to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau a man the Nigerian military authorities claimed had been killed.

Despite Nigerian government claim, Shekau who leads a major faction of the Boko Haram has continued to churn out videos where he mocked the Nigerian security authorities.

In one of the videos, he was portrayed as cursing and abusing President Muhammadu Buhari and making jests of the military hierarchy.

But the US government as part of ongoing initiatives to help the Nigerian government contain the terrorists has stepped into the fray and has placed a bounty on Shekau.

The Department made this known in a tweet posted by their official Twitter account.

They also provided numbers to call with any information anyone may have on the leader of the terrorist group.

The tweet reads: “The United States Department of State offers a #reward of up to $7 million for information leading to the arrest of #terrorist Abubakar #Shekau, leader of #Boko_Haram. #Whatsapp: +1 202 975 9195 #Telegram: @RFJ_Francais_bot