A screen grab made on October 21, 2010 in an undisclosed location from a video allegedly showing members of the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram. A purported spokesman for Islamist sect Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a Christmas Day explosion near a church outside the Nigerian capital on December 25, 2011. “We are responsible for all the attacks in the past few days, including today’s bombing of the church in Madalla,” Abul Qaqa told AFP by phone. “We will continue to launch such attacks throughout the north in the next few days.” AFP PHOTO
….As sect hierarchy denies list, video
By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
The extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram may be considering the invitation to dialogue with the federal government as it named some Northern leaders to negotiate with the government on its behalf.
Although, the veracity of the video is being investigated by security agents, as it came on a day that multiple blasts rocked Kaduna with the armed forces as target.
Those named in the video on the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, are : Sheik Abubakar Gero, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Alh Ali Bukar Ibrahim, the former governor of Yobe State.
The fourth name listed was not clear in the video to be identified.
However, Vanguard findings revealed that Boko Haram leaders have disowned the list of negotiators and that the said video did not originate from its organisation.
The tape which NTA claimed was delivered by an unidentified source featured two figures, fully masked in black. Only the voice of one was heard, while the other was silent.
“We here confirmed and accept the reported initiative of the President for a dialogue as a welcome development”, the speaker who did not identify himself said.
According to him, the group trusts the named leaders and said “the decision taken by these people can actually change the whole situation”.
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