Why we bombed Kano - Boko Haram

BOKO Haram, the Islamic violent sect has given reasons why it bombed and killed many people in Kano city, Kano State on Friday January 20.

BOKO Haram, the violent sect that has made life unbearable in the northern parts of the country, has given reasons for Friday’s multiple attacks on security installations in Kano State in which at least seven people died.

 

‘We are those who are commonly known with the forbidden name “Boko Haram” while everyone knows our true name is Jama’atu Ahli Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad),’ said the group’s leader, Abubakar Bin Muhammad a.k.a Shekau, in the introductory part of a statement released yesterday.

 

Giving an idea on why they carried out the heinous acts, Shekau said: ‘A message to the people of Kano; You should know that the security services in the city of Kano have been using a trick to arrest our brothers while telling those who reside in the area that they are thieves or armed robbers. You should know that it is our brothers they have been arresting.’

 

He claimed that the group has no intention of harming the citizens of Kano as long as they do not confront it.

 

According to the Boko Haram leader, ‘Our fight is against the government that is waging war against Islam, the security services and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – an organization that has been killing Muslims and even perpetrated cannibalism by eating their flesh.’ 

 

In the statement contained in leaflets distributed in Kano, Shekau made it clear that Boko Haram would go after anyone who helps CAN or the authorities to wage war against the sect even if he or she is a Muslim. He also vowed that the sect would visit its wrath on anyone who aids the arrest of any Boko Haram member.

 

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, has confirmed seven casualties in the Kano attacks, appealing to the public for information on the identity and location of those responsible. Ringim in a statement signed by Deputy Commission of Police Olusola Amore, the Force Public Relations Officer, assured that any information from the public would be treated with ‘utmost confidentiality.’

The police chief identified the attacked installations as the Nigeria Police Zone 1 Headquarters, on BUK Road; the AIG Zone 1 Residence at Bompai Road; Police State Command Headquarter at Bompai Road; Zaria Road Police Station on Zaria Road; Farm Center Police Station at Farm Centre; SSS Headquarters at Gigiyu; Passport Office at Farm Centre;
and Immigration Headquarters at Bompai Road.

Also yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan commiserated with the families of all victims of the Boko Haram onslaught on Kano, including the management and staff of Channels Television, whose correspondent Enenche Akogwu was killed while covering the incident.

 

In a condolence message, President Jonathan said he was greatly saddened by the incident, which led to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians and pledged to get to the root of it. He assured that those behind these acts of terrorism would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

 

The President commended the media as the fourth estate of the realm for living up to its constitutional and noble responsibility in these critical times. He assured all journalists that ‘the Federal Government will continue to partner with the media in a robust and patriotic manner in the drive to build, institute and sustain the administration’s transformational values and programmes for our dear country and indeed Nigerians.’

 

He said his heart was ‘full of sadness and pain’ because of the ‘honest and patriotic Nigerians who were brutally and recklessly cut down by agents of terror.’ 

 

According to him, ‘As a responsible Government, we will not fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy, for that is what these mindless killers are, perpetrate unprecedented evil in our land. 

 

‘I want to re-assure Nigerians, the international Community, and members of the fourth estate of the realm, who lost one of their colleagues, a reporter with Channels Television, that all those involved in that dastardly act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.’ (The Moment)