Boko Haram says no negotiation with Fed Govt

The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is not keen on negotiation with President Goodluck Jonathan or the Federal Government, its leader,Abubakar Shekau,said on Thursday.

President Jonathan in an interview with Reuters published earlier that day had challenged the sect whose members are behind the spate of bombings in the North to come out publicly and show its face and declare what it wants from government.

He said it is only on that condition that government can consider dialoguing with the group.

“If they clearly identify themselves now and say this is the reason why we are resisting, this is the reason why we are confronting government or this is the reason why we destroy some people and their properties...then there will be a basis for dialogue,” the president said.

But responding in an audio  message posted on You Tube Shekau, speaking at times in Arabic, English and Hausa said the  negotiation suggested by the president would not happen.

He said:” He cannot do it...If Jonathan does not repent as a Muslim, even if I die myself, Jonathan’s going to see. He’s looking at me like I’m nobody, but he’ll see.”

Shekau acknowledged that Boko Haram carried out the January 20 attacks in Kano, that killed at least 185 people. Gunmen from the sect armed with explosives and assault rifles, some wearing army and police uniforms, others suicide car bombers, attacked police stations, immigration offices and the local headquarters of Nigeria’ secret police.

However, Shekau denied killing civilians in the attack, claiming that the sect’s gunmen tried to protect the more than nine million people who live in the city.

“We’re killing police officers, we’re killing soldiers and other government people who are fighting Allah and Christians who are killing Muslims and talking badly about our Islamic religion,” Shekau said. “I am not against anyone, but if Allah asks me to kill someone, I will kill him and I will enjoy killing him like I am killing a chicken.”

The message shows a still image of Imam Abubakar Shekau sitting on a beige sofa, a Kalashnikov rifle at his back.