The Islamic sect,
Boko Haram, has
threatened to adopt a
change of tactics in a
message posted on
YouTube yesterday.
The sect also
restated that it was
behind last week’s
attacks in Kano
saying bombings and
shootings were to
avenge the torture of
its members.
“We were responsible,” a voice
identified as that of suspected
Boko Haram leader Abubakar
Shekau says in audio played
over a picture of him. “I
ordered it and I will give that
order again and again. God
gave us victory.”
A spokesman for the group had
earlier claimed responsibility
for
coordinated bombings and
shootings on January 20 in
Kano which left at least 185
people dead. Police stations
were the main targets.
Shekau said in the message
that “we attacked the security
formations because our
members were arrested and
tortured. Our women and
children have also been
arrested.” He then issued
another threat: “They should
know that they also have wives
and children. We can also
abduct them. It is not beyond
our powers.
“Soldiers raided an Islamic
seminary in Maiduguri and
desecrated the Quran.
They should bear in mind that
they also have primary and
secondary schools and
universities, and we can also
attack them.”
The Boko Haram leader also
accused the authorities of
killing civilians in Friday’s
violence.
“After we finished our war,
policemen stuck around and
started killing civilians and
later blamed us,” he said. “We
are not fighting civilians, but
security forces. We only kill
soldiers, policemen and their
collaborators.”
The Kano attacks were the
worst yet attributed to Boko
Haram and occurred in a city
that serves as the economic
heart of the North. Another
police station was attacked in
Kano on Tuesday night, while
an explosion also went off in
the city on yesterday. A
German engineer was also
kidnapped on the outskirts of
Kano yesterday. A video
posted on YouTube earlier this
month was also said to be of
Shekau.
In the video, the man said to
be Shekau issued a message
to President Goodluck Jonathan
and threatened further
violence.
The appearance of the man in
the video appeared
significantly different than
earlier images said to be of the
Boko Haram chief, but a
Western diplomat said “we
assessed it was Shekau.”

www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2012/jan/27/national-27-01-2011-001.html