Boko Haram To Jonathan: We Are Not Ghosts
SAN FRANCISCO, March 13, (THEWILL) - The Jama'atul Ahlil Sunnah Lid Da'waati Wal Jihad, the Islamic terrorist group popularly called Boko Haram Wednesday joined issues with President Goodluck Jonathan, who recently described the leaders of the radical group as “ghosts,”
President Jonathan last week during a two-day visit to Borno and Yobe States, the group’s hotbed, had ruled out dialoguing or meeting with the group, saying they are “faceless.”
But a charged Boko Haram has responded saying they are known and have been in dialogue and consultation with representatives of the Borno State government and a delegation of the Northern Governors Forum.
A statement by the group’s Sheikh Muhammad Abdul'aziz obtained by THEWILL, said: "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 Borno State government and a delegation of Northern Governors Forum on peace and reconciliation headed by Air Vice Marshall Mukhtar Muhammad (rtd.)”
Abdul'aziz also discredited a YouTube video credited to the spiritual leader of the Boko Haram, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, who had called for a ceasefire and directed members of the group to end the violent attacks against individuals and properties in northern Nigeria.
Part of the statement reads, "I call on 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. I also call on all our members to disregard the so-called Sheikh Abubakar Shekau who appeared on YouTube, as the Sheikh will certainly make statement either in Rajab or Sha'aban.
“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 YouTube 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 is an impostor deliberately brought to the front line by those opposed to the peace process. We know them and we will disclose their identity at the appropriate time.
"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 Sheikh to say he does not know me while it is he who promoted me to my present position.
"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.
"If there are those who feel left out in the process, I say the doors are open let everybody come as the Borno State government has shown seriousness and commitment to the peace process."