The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, has said it is now set to shift its attention to Sokoto after successfully attacking Kaduna, Kano and Maiduguri, with the latest being yesterday’s bombing of military formations in Kaduna.
The spokesman of the group, whose authenticity is in doubt because of his alleged arrest by the State Security Service, Abu Qaqa, told newsmen on Tuesday: “We did it. We are responsible for today’s (Tuesday) attacks on the military base and other places.
“We did it to teach the government a lesson because they deceived us to believe in their dialogue proposal, yet they kept arresting our members and refused to release them.
“We will continue to attack government and security agencies as long as they refuse to release our members in various cells and prisons.”
Qaqa, who insisted that he was not the one arrested but one Abu Dardaa, said that contrary to reports in the media that a section of the group had decided to negotiate with the government, “we remain united, focused and determined to pursue our course.”
He said that the group was determined to carry out its threat of dealing with all Christians, irrespective of where they reside in the country, adding: “Our focus is greater than the sectional thing people are talking about. As far as we are concerned, every Christian whether in Borno, Sokoto, Lagos or any where is our enemy and a target but a Muslim anywhere even if he resides in Onitsha is our own.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army on Tuesday said that Boko Haram attacked the 1 Division in Kaduna with Improvised Explosive Device concealed in a 50 litre container.
A statement signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Abubaka Edun, said: “At about 1218pm on Tuesday 7th February 2012, a failed suicide bomb attempt was made on the Headquarters Complex of 1 Division Nigerian Army Kawo, Kaduna. The 2 suicide bombers came in two vehicles, a Sienna Toyota Space Bus and a Honda Accord. The drivers of the two vehicles overran the security post and the lawn leading to the Headquarters complex. One of the vehicles (Toyota Sienna Space Bus) exploded by the Car Park directly in front of the Headquarters, when a soldier opened fire on the car after the attacker refused to stop which made him loose control of the vehicle.
“The second vehicle which did not explode (Honda Accord) was loaded with 10 numbers of 20 liters of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 4 numbers of 30 liters loaded with IEDs and 2 numbers of large peak milk containers also loaded with IEDs. The suicide bomber in the Toyota Sienna Space Bus died in the attempt, while there was no casualty on the part of (our) own troops.”
