Australian hostage negotiator, Dr Stephen Davis who spent some time in Nigeria trying to secure the release of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Borno State has told online news portal, Sahara Reporters that he stands by his earlier allegations that former Governor Modu Sherriff of Borno State and a former Chief of Army staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), were among top sponsors of the terror sect.

In an extensive telephone interview on Friday with Sahara Reporters, Dr Davis also accused an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as a man based in Cairo, Egypt whom he claimed operates as Boko Haram’s bagman as major players in the funding and continued existence of the Islamist group.

Both accused men have reacted furiously to Mr. Davis’ allegation, with the former Borno governor threatening to travel to Australia to sue his accuser.

Dr. Davis dismissed Mr. Sheriff’s threat to sue him for his statements as grandstanding and seeking to divert attention from the real issue of Mr. Sheriff’s involvement with Boko Haram, adding that Sheriff should face the ultimate trial for financing the recruitment of young men to the Islamist sect.

Also, asked to explain why Mr. Ihejirika, a non-Muslim who hails from the predominantly Christian southeastern part of Nigeria, became a Boko Haram “sponsor,” Mr. Davis said, “Boko Haram commanders and some connected with them told me on several occasions Ihejirika was one of their sponsors.”

He also disclosed that Mr. Sheriff always had the best military protection in Nigeria’s violence-plagued northeast, a protection he claimed the ex-governor enjoyed after he left office.

Dr. Davis reiterated that his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders over a long period of time. Asked if President Goodluck Jonathan was aware of the insurgents’ sponsors and their specific roles, Dr. Davis said he was unsure of the extent of information currently before President Jonathan. He added that Mr. Jonathan had been weakened by lack of military loyalty and a history of security negligence. He gave the example of repeated attempts to bring the growth of Al Qa’eda associated cells to the attention of NSA’s since 2006 only to have them dismiss such reports as baseless. “By the time Goodluck Jonathan became president Boko Haram had become a potent weapon with a command structure embedded in 16 northern states fanned by support from corrupt politicians.”

He further gave the example of Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, Aliyu Gusau, whom he accused of basically leaving Mr. Jonathan to carry his can without taking any responsibility for his work.

The Australian negotiator also revealed that his years working with Nigerian presidents on matters of terrorism had shown that, even when some prominent individuals are known to be involved in criminality, the presidents are simply too afraid to take them on. He cited the example of the Niger Delta region. He told SaharaReporters that he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo found out that Abiye Sekibo, who was then Mr. Obasanjo’s Transport Minister, had contracted the assassins who killed a prominent politician, Harry Marshall. He said he tried to persuade Mr. Obasanjo to prosecute Mr. Sekibo, but the then president declined, stating that such a trial could bring down his government.

Dr. Davis touched on several aspects of Boko Haram activities. He said Boko Haram runs about six major camps in the northeast and neighboring countries, adding that 700 fighters inhabited each camp. In addition there are a range of smaller camps within Borno State, which are often temporary and to which kidnapped girls are taken to be used by the insurgents.

On why he had chosen to speak out publicly at this time, Dr. Davis stated that, from experience, any terrorist group that has lasted more than eight years after its formation would likely exist for another 20 or more

Source::http://skytrendnews.com/index.php/news/cover/3473-i-insist-modu-sheriff-ihejirika-are-top-sponsors-of-boko-haram-stephen-davis

have Boko Haram brainwashed you Mr.Davis to believe that Ihejirika ,their arch enemy is their sponsor?Are you not intelligent enough to know that Boko Haram hate Ihejirika with passion because of the figh and mayhem he unleashed on them?
Common sense can teach you that Boko Haram can do anything and can go extreme to condemn and destroy Ihejirika because he was the only one who didn't compromise his duty ti terminate Boko Haram activities in the north.
or some powerful politicians have bought you over?

Brb

Billygee2u: have Boko Haram brainwashed you Mr.Davis to believe that Ihejirika ,their arch enemy is their sponsor?Are you not intelligent enough to know that Boko Haram hate Ihejirika with passion because of the figh and mayhem he unleashed on them?
Common sense can teach you that Boko Haram can do anything and can go extreme to condemn and destroy Ihejirika because he was the only one who didn't compromise his duty ti terminate Boko Haram activities in the north.
or some powerful politicians have bought you over?

..@billgate:If what you said are all right, why is it that there's so much traitors leaking out their modus operandi during his tenure? why?

stinggy: Brb

...ain't through yet..