What is Boko Haram about?

Our aim is to spread Islam all over Nigeria, that is our mission and I want people to understand that our correct name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad. Those calling our group Boko Haram do so to discredit the group and it ideas. It was formed at three fundamental levels.

The first level from which our group emerged was from people in this country who, for selfish reasons, recruited young people and sometimes children and sent them overseas for education. In reality, these people are totally ignorant of the reasons why these big men take them abroad. In the name of education, these young men are taken to mostly Arab countries and turned into militants who respect only those who sponsored them abroad. Those big men who sponsor these youths don’t have any conscience and no love for this country.

It all started in 2004 when the Government of Mauritania fell.

It is similar to what is happening in Libya now, though slightly different. When the government in Mauritania fell in 2004, some individuals from that country came into Nigeria to recruit some youths as mercenaries to join forces with them to overthrow the government in power.

The second level of our membership is made up of young men who were recruited by our late leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Yusuf was approached by some people from Mauritania to recruit more Nigerians to continue with the struggle in Mauritania. The grounds were that this young people were being recruited to further their Islamic studies. They were to serve as a support group to the Mauritanian army. But our leader Mohammed Yusuf rejected the plan. But a number of Nigerian big men who were involved in the Mauritania struggle were angry with Yusuf. This led to a disagreement which pitched the young men loyal to Yusuf against those backing the big men. Yusuf, however, insisted on genuine Islam whereas those opposing him were mercenaries who were willing to serve their master’s interest in Mauritania.

At what point did they leave perfect Islam and become violent?

Whatever I am telling you now I have already made available to the SSS when they arrested me. There was a misunderstanding within the group and this disagreement was between those who received military training in Mauritania and those who were loyal to Yusuf. The SSS infiltrated our ranks and began to arrest many of those who were militants. However, as they were arrested some big men moved in to ensure that the court released them and they came back caused more problems within our group.

In 2009 the disagreement developed into a crisis in areas where our group was spreading Islamic ideals. I was in charge of our operations in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau. The crisis was more in Bauchi State in two locations and in Kano in one location. In Bauchi, a group began to lay claim to a mosque that was built by our group. This caused a major crisis again and a young girl was kidnapped in Bauchi and taken to Borno State. Our group was manipulated but we told one intelligence officer, Bala, who was investigating the case that her relations took her to Borno and if the issue was not handled well it could cause a crisis. The SSS directed us to contact the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to secure the girl’s release. We were still in the process when the Bauchi State governor directed that members of our group should be driven away from the state. That was how our people started to resist the forced evacuation and the crisis with the government spread to Borno State. In fact, the crisis began in Bauchi and not Borno.

Anytime there is a bombing in Nigeria Boko Haram claims responsibility, for example, four times in Borno, Police headquarters and UN office in Abuja.

Yes, we bombed some of those places you mentioned. Remember that I told you that some of our members were recalled from military training in Mauritania. Among them were three specialist in bomb making.

When this crisis began I made a move to the authorities advising that the arrest of Boko Haram members would not bring an end to the crisis. I suggested that the government should stop the arrest and release those already arrested. Let me repeat it today, government should rebuild houses, mosques and schools demolished in Bauchi and Borno states. Government should not interfere in the genuine worship of our group and ensure justice for all. If these are not in place, I predict that the Nigerian situation may become like what is happening in Somalia.

I give this warning because many of those young men who went to Mauritania are being attracted back home because of the violent situation brought by the present crisis.

When I gave my advice, the police chased and arrested me, and kept me in detention. Before I was detained, I gave the police the video recordings of how some of how our members were being given military training, but the IGP ordered that I should be detained. I was left in detention for 10 months.

But those things that I warned about are playing out today. While I was in detention, I was in contact with our people and I still gave forewarnings to the authorities about attacks. I even told them beforehand whenever an operation was to take place. The bombing of the police headquarters had been planned and on many occasions and I had always told them in advance.

In fact, Bala had helped the police because each time I got in touch with him he worked to avert the attacks. If not, the police headquarters would have been bombed before now. Three days before the attack I warned the police that there would be an attack in Abuja that would embarrass the security authorities. Also, after the bombing of the police headquarters, I was summoned before the IGP and given a GSM phone. I called the person who planned and led the attack and we spoke right in front of the IGP. So, all these terror attacks are caused by the negligence of government.

Since I was released from detention, I have rejoined my group and some of us have warned our members to stick to the original ideals of our leader, Yusuf. He did not tell us to kill innocent people or to break into and steal from banks. If there is a conflict between the faithful and the authorities our opposition should be against the authorities and not the talakawas.

There are allegations that Boko Haram is being sponsored by some top level politicians, is it true?

The truth is that politicians are the root cause of this Boko Haram problem. For instance, in Borno State, the governor sponsors a group of armed youths known as ECOMOG. It is this ECOMOG that the governor formed and looks after, above the police, SSS and other security agencies. In Gombe State, the governor has the Kalari. I was once contacted by a governorship candidate to kill an opponent for a fee. The security agencies know what I am telling you.

In Bauchi there is the Tarafuka, an armed group sponsored by the government, and the government watches on, even when we have the SSS and police. That is why our new leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau, is calling on the youths to disregard all government in the country – a call that has that has brought him and the group into conflict with the government. Some politicians are now taking the advantage of the conflict between the Boko Haram leadership and the authorities to execute their own agenda.

Did Boko Haram bomb the United Nations Office in Abuja?

I would not answer the question of whether Boko Haram bombed the UN building or not for some reasons.

Did Boko Haram bomb the Police headquarters in Abuja?

Yes, we bombed the police headquarters in Abuja. I told you earlier that when the bombing of the Police headquarters happened I called the person who led the attack, I was in front of the IGP. Yes, we bombed the police headquarters in Abuja. They asked me why we bombed the police headquarters and I told him (IGP) in his presence that it was because of his statement in Maiduguri that the days of Boko Haram were numbered.

Why does Boko Haram bomb army barracks and attack police and security operatives? What do they do to affect Islam or the work of Boko Haram?

It is because of the indiscriminate killing of our members and innocent people by the police without trial. They arrest innocent people harass and shoot them and the authorities do nothing about it. Why should we then leave the police?

Boko Haram is asking for Sharia in all the Northern states, and the states have Sharia, so what is the problem again?

I have been waiting for this question. I was in detention when it was said that Boko Haram had threatened to turn the entire North, or the country, into a Sharia state. Since I came out of detention have you heard that Boko Haram is threatening to turn the whole of Nigeria into an Islamic nation? The truth is that those spreading such information are just lying against us. What we are demanding is that those states that have independently declared their states Sharia states should implement it to the letter. Have you seen Sharia cut the hand of someone who steals a cow head, while someone who corruptly enriches himself is left to go free? They have chased away local LovePeddlers and brought in international red light LovePeddlers to replace them. They have also banned local alcoholic drinks, yet they drink imported spirits in their respective government houses. Is that Sharia? They are insincere, so they must be effective in the implementation of Sharia. Sharia is being abused. I pity this country. Mauritania that does not have any wealth exported Boko Haram into Nigeria. Now, Libya that has money and wealth has collapsed. Who says that this countries would not bring something worse than Boko Haram into Nigeria?


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109212504368

Their aim is not to spread Islam.
Islam is already established and is practice world wide.

Their aim is to terrorize Nigerian citizens, and there is reserved punishment for anyone who terrorized and kill fellow human being

ISLAM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TERRORISM.

Deranged people.

2busy:

Their aim is not to spread Islam.
Islam is already established and is practice world wide.

Their aim is to terrorize Nigerian citizens, and there is reserved punishment for anyone who terrorized and kill fellow human being

ISLAM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TERRORISM.

Well, lets talk abou the Prophet and how he spread islam. Lets talk about Usman Dan Fodio and how he spread Islam in Nigeria.

The Reason why Boko Haram is still relevant in the eyes of a constituted democracy called Nigeria is because Muslims - Especially Northern Muslim citizens and public officials keep quiet. Traditional Leaders and Islamic Figures and Governors are all strangely lethargic in reacting to the Boko Haram ISLAMIC Terrorists.

Everyone is free to practice whatever God-forsaken Religion He/She chooses. As long as you keep it in your own backyard and if you are not satisfied with it. go kill yourself. Who tells you everyone in Nigeria is interested in ISLAM and wants to be "ISLAMIZED". It is unfortunate that Muslims still stand for what is apparently at odds with what the Religion claims to represent.

Religious Governance in a secular society represents the very threat to Nigeria's Survival as a Nation. when someone tells you Allah instructed him to kill women and children in their sleep just because they read western books and watched CNN or tore the Koran to shreds.I wonder why so many Illiterate Muslims think that they have to be the Violent Hand of Allah to punish Unbelievers. It kinda makes dull sense does it not. I hear Violent Islam is restricted to a very small (almost zero) % of Muslims 0.09% so why are they affecting the lot of 99.99% of Muslims in a very profound way.

Nigeria is a doomed country.We are sitting on a keg of gun-powder waiting for it to explode.The time is ticking fast!!

noblezone:

Well, lets talk abou the Prophet and how he spread islam. Lets talk about Usman Dan Fodio and how he spread Islam in Nigeria.

an ignorant fool that cannot keep his mouth shut.if you got nothing to contribute why repeat the missionary nonsense that you were taught to repeat like a donkey?of all battles muslims were involved in the time of the Prophet (sa) all were defensive and not one was meant to "spread the religion".

"THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION" (Holy Quran 2:256)

if boko haram was practicing islam and what they are saying is true,muslims will not deny them but all muslims will embrace them.muslims are openly telling you that boko haram got nothing to do with islam and you come here with nonsense.boko haram and anyone who do not value life is not a follower of the Prophet (sa).they are instead imitating the violent arab jahiliyah culture which existed in pre-islamic arabia.so in other words they are doing exactly as the enemies of muslims used to do in arabia.

This Man is very stopppid,nw they are changing the name. What a Pathetic Programmed interview to Give Reasons for evil Operations on Human Life. If one can Speak Such English and yet commend Western Behaviour,didn't that shown you that the Hands of Top 'men' from North Support this group? This useless bastar.d should not be given a listening ear because it's obvious this Group are working on instructions

.

that man contradicted himself many times in that short interview. During the second world war, the british recruited many christian igbos to help the in the war against hitler. (my grandfather's juniour brother lost a leg in that war.) but did we come back to pick up arms against the government? Did we try to christianise 12 nigerian states? Did we form jamaitu al bla bla bla christiana jihad? Nah nah 'pray for those who hurt you'-JESUS

Evry day i woke up 4rom sleep, the next thing i hear or read is boko did this and did that. Where is that leader that ll take up the challenge of BH? Who ll write his/her names is the golden book of history that ll help us takle the menace of this deluded group called BH? Definately not GEj- b/cos is an indecisive man. Definately not SSS b/cos of there agreement with northern politician, police- lol, we all know them! Can foreign intervention be of help?-yes, considering how they hv destabilized lybia for their own selfish interest. Then who? As i ponder the over this question that is seriously begging for an answer, i can not help but to weep for this Nation!!!

LagosShia:

an ignorant fool that cannot keep his mouth shut.if you got nothing to contribute why repeat the missionary nonsense that you were taught to repeat like a donkey?of all battles muslims were involved in the time of the Prophet (sa) all were defensive and not one was meant to "spread the religion".

"THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION" (Holy Quran 2:256)

if boko haram was practicing islam and what they are saying is true,muslims will not deny them but all muslims will embrace them.muslims are openly telling you that boko haram got nothing to do with islam and you come here with nonsense.boko haram and anyone who do not value life is not a follower of the Prophet (sa).they are instead imitating the violent arab jahiliyah culture which existed in pre-islamic arabia.so in other words they are doing exactly as the enemies of muslims used to do in arabia.

Quran (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority"

Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"

The real Boko Haram brothers are mismanaging there activities.

If they want change, they need everybody irrespective of religion affiliation.

Any personality disturbing the peace of Nigeria, be exposed and be disgraced in Jesus name . Amen. God2man .

I am sure that My Country Nigeria will still breath the air of peace again

its only in dis country dat so many many SHITS happen .like seriously, pple tend to get away wit so many crimes commited. can u imagine such confession of killings nd bombings? They even take responsibility, i wonder wat happens next. Like he mention,most of all dis harzard happening is majorly frn our Govt.they caused all these.we cant fight dem,(boko haram)(cos we dnt knw hw far dey hv spinned dia evil web nd hw many other countries dey hv connections) to avoid more innocent lives lose, neither can we bow to there command. Its just so confusing.may God help us.

What a revelation! This BH crisis is more complex than it looks on the surface.

Their aim is not to spread Islam.
Islam is already established and is practice world wide.

Their aim is to terrorize Nigerian citizens, and there is reserved punishment for anyone who terrorized and kill fellow human being

ISLAM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TERRORISM.

Hope you have a copy of quran

All day might be for thief but one day must definitely be for the owner

All day might be for thief but one day must definitely be for the owner

no offence to the muslim brothers and sisters out there.but i think this babaric act of killing all starts from an islamic doctrine called the "jihad"(holy war).
i wouldn't be quick to condem this doctrine inorder not to start another christain vs muslim turf war.so when ever i see these guy kill innocent lives and destroy even their own brothers and sisters all in the name of "jihad",i laugh at their ignorance.so let's stop deceiving our selves here.
Both the government and international agencies are now ready for these guys,so let the games begin.

they are all num skulls with fish brains, you want to spread islam by killing people, does that sound nice, *rubbish*

Lots of muslims are denying all these groups ( Boko Haram , al quaida etc ) killing innocent people, but these groups are saying they are killing in the name of Allah and they are following what their holy books says and alot of the of the verses in their holy book are saying something close to kill unbelievers . I really wonder how to put all these together .

Again i look around all the religion in the world , Hindu , Judiasm , christianity , Grail Message, Echancar etc . In the present civilized world, u will never see any group killing innocent people in the name of these religion except Islam .

I really hope this is really a religion of peace .

islam has nothing to do with boko haram, so stop hiding under islam 4 ur selfish aims, boko haram is not islam, there is no terrorism in islam, killing innocent souls. they have no agenda.

Emotions , emotions and emotions!!!. This cannot help in decipering the contents of the interview. A christian though am I and will definitely want everyone around me to become Christians , likewise a Muslim willl want everyone to become a Muslim either but not forcefully through intimidation, deprivation and by violent. This I have seen happening with both Christians and Muslims but the more violent ones are mainly from you know where.
This guy revealed the immediate roots of the menace that is currently ravaging us.rather than delibrate on that, we continue to throw stones at all direction . the reason I said in one of my earlier post replies that, the future of this country is bleak with the so called literate nay educated youths not showing the temperament needed to analyse issues and proffer tangible pragmatic and less emotional solutions. The ability to remain calm and calculative in the midst of crisis of this magnitude is very important. And don't fuel more hatred by either insulting the faith of another person. you may only advice and appeal to the humanity in them rather than descend to the low abyss the aggressor is .
lets have a clean thread . this is too serious for some "Your Mama" game going on .

KDULAR:

Emotions , emotions and emotions!!!. This cannot help in decipering the contents of the interview. A christian though am I and will definitely want everyone around me to become Christians , likewise a Muslim willl want everyone to become a Muslim either but not forcefully through intimidation, deprivation and by violent. This I have seen happening with both Christians and Muslims but the more violent ones are mainly from you know where.
This guy revealed the immediate roots of the menace that is currently ravaging us.rather than delibrate on that, we continue to throw stones at all direction . the reason I said in one of my earlier post replies that, the future of this country is bleak with the so called literate nay educated youths not showing the temperament needed to analyse issues and proffer tangible pragmatic and less emotional solutions. The ability to remain calm and calculative in the midst of crisis of this magnitude is very important. And don't fuel more hatred by either insulting the faith of another person. you may only advice and appeal to the humanity in them rather than descend to the low abyss the aggressor is .
lets have a clean thread . this is too serious for some "Your Mama" game going on .

I respect you, tell them please

@KDULAR
I am in agreement. I think the content of this interview may give a step forward , may be a very small step but certainly better than nothing. Unfortunately people on Nairaland seem to be infuriated by that the interview happened at all. I wonder what our individual intentions are but I see some way forwards if we can get more insight into the minds and actions of terrorists. We may even be able to differentiate and stop the plural judgement on everybody who identifiees himsellf as muslim.

For instance, in Borno State, the governor sponsors a group of armed youths known as ECOMOG. It is this ECOMOG that the governor formed and looks after, above the police, SSS and other security agencies. In Gombe State, the governor has the Kalari. I was once contacted by a governorship candidate to kill an opponent for a fee. The security agencies know what I am telling you.

In Bauchi there is the Tarafuka, an armed group sponsored by the government, and the government watches on, even when we have the SSS and police. That is why our new leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau, is calling on the youths to disregard all government in the country – a call that has that has brought him and the group into conflict with the government. Some politicians are now taking the advantage of the conflict between the Boko Haram leadership and the authorities to execute their own agenda.




why all these sects? this will only complicate matter and make this country difficult to inhabit.

Quran (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority"

Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"

Have you read the verses leading to this verses and after them? You can't just pick a verrse at the middle and believe you know what it means without proper tafsir from a scholar.

Besides the first quote is wrong

Quran 3:191- Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.


You did not quote the complete verse for the second one!

That interview looks fake nd i bet it sucks!

It is a known fact that JIHAD and CRUSADE mean the same thing holy wars. While b4 declaring a jìhad, the nation's moslem highest body must first extensively discuss and when agreement is reached, the fatwa<decree> passed. The same thing is applicable to crusades too which must be sanctioned too by the pope himself. All the seven crusades launched against the moslems and the four crusades launched to kill all the jews were sanctioned by the popes in the respective times. Our nigerian christians are so fond of deliberately ignoring this very vital fact. If boko haram is claiming to be waging a jihad, most nigerian moslems wont be looking them as a group of deranged youths. One thing is very glaring, terrorism, in any form, is quite anti islamic. U surely cant use anti islamic methods to achieve islamic goal. It doesnt make any sense at all. According to the interview, this Boko haram has thrown more light on the mauritania influence which most nigerians are so ignorant about. Worse, our security agencies deliberately hide this link but only to be shamefully trumpeting the somalia connection. This shows ppl in leadership positions are gaining something from all these and hence are trying their best to hide the most basic information. I weep for this country. I weep for boko haram for flying islamic banner to cover and justify their terrorist acts. Worst, i weep for non-moslems to eager to link every violent act with islam with the most unobjective mindset.