The purported ceasefire offered by the Boko Haram sect took another dramatic twist, as a faction of the group discounted statements credited to President Goodluck Jonathan during his recent state visit to Yobe and Borno States that his administration would not grant amnesty to “ghosts.”
The shadowy Islamist sect, in a statement signed by Sheikh Muhammad Abdul’aziz, and distributed to journalists in Maiduguri, said its members could not have been ghosts or a faceless association because they have been in dialogue and consultation with the Borno State Government and a delegation of the Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF).
“As regards the statement by Mr. President that we are ghosts, let me say with due respect that we are not ghosts; we have sat with officials of the Borno State Government and a delegation of Northern State Governors’ Forum on Peace and Reconciliation, headed by Air Vice Marshall Mukhtar Muhammad (rtd.)”
The statement also faulted a video in which Boko Haram’s self-acclaimed leader, Abubakar Shekau, repudiated a ceasefire offer, which the group offered the federal government. Abdul’aziz said the video clip on YouTube credited to Shekau, where he dissociated the group from the ceasefire and dialogue offer was fake.
“About a week ago, somebody who claimed to be leader of Jama’atul Ahlul Sunnah Lid-Da’waati Wal Jihad, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, appeared on You Tube and disclaimed peace process going on between the government of Borno State and the group. The purported Sheikh Abubakar Shekau went further to say that he does not know Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdul’aziz. Let me state that the man who appeared on the said YouTube is not Sheikh Abubakar Shekau. The voice is not his and sheikh has never hidden his face. Sheikh’s voice is heavily Kanuri accented. The man (in the video) is an impostor deliberately brought to the frontline by those opposed to the peace process.”
“I call on (Borno State) Governor Kashim Shettima, to disregard all those propaganda aimed at disrupting the peace process as we are ready and willing to continue to dialogue with government. Sheikh knows me and has confidence in my ability and is aware and he blessed the peace process. When I was being sworn in as munzul, that we are going to work for the sake of Allah by the late leader of the group, Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf, he did so in the presence of Sheikh Mallam Ibrahim Mubi, Mallam Ibrahim Agaji, Mallam Sani Kontagora and Babagana Mulima. So, it is impossible for the sheikh to say he does not know me while it is he who promoted me to my present position,” he added.
Abdul’aziz said the peace process was still on course despite the continued killing by Boko Haram members and “we will continue to talk with government because our people are suffering. Allah has sanctioned dialogue in all human undertakings so we will pursue it to its logical conclusion.”
The disclaimer came as unidentified gunmen shot and killed two PDP chieftains in cold blood near the Maiduguri International Hotel (MAIH) and Shehuri ward of the metropolis, before the Joint Task Force (JTF) and police cordoned the areas for over an hour to prevent further attacks and killings. The bodies of the slain party officials Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Gula, zonal vice-chairman of Southern Borno senatorial district; and Hajiya Gambo, the PDP Women Leader for Shehuri ward in Maiduguri metropolis, have been buried, according to Islamic rites at the Gwange cemetery.
The state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Yuguda Abdullahi, confirmed the separate incidents in a telephone chat with Huhuonline.com and revealed that the gunmen were killed when security operatives invaded the area, following a tip off and engaged the gunmen in a gun duel that lasted for about eight hours.. Addressing journalists at the Brigade 1 Barracks in Sokoto, the Brigade Commander, Brig Gen. Mohammed Tasiu Ibrahim, said the combined team of security operatives embarked on the operation, following a tip off from the SSS, which enabled them to track the residence of the gunmen.
It was further gathered that the three bedroom flat that was occupied by the gunmen was demolished by the soldiers after the operation. Items recovered include: submachine gun, one rifle propelled grenade, two AK 47 rifles, two revolver guns, two pistols, four cartridges, 3mt magazine, 122.56 milimetre ammunition, 4.45 special ammunition, 13 pistol round, one improvised explosive devise container, half bag of fertiliser, a deposit slip of N3.5 million, two GPS, 10 handsets, one plate number, one laptop and two Toyota starlet cars among others.
