Abubakar Shekau, leader of Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lil Da’awatu Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram, has spoken in respect of the audio attributed to him and published by an Abuja based newspaper, (not HumAngle) in which he was reported to be weeping.
Desperate to bring the audio into context Shekau said the reported audio was made five years ago. “I made the statement during the Muslim month of Ramadan and between that Ramadan and this one is about five years.”
Further clarifying on the circumstances surrounding the said audio he said: “In that statement, I prayed to seek Allah’s support. Even today, I will not stop telling my creator about my lack of strength for him to give me strength.”
According to him, in the prevailing situation, “there is war of words, certainly. There is a war of arms, certainly. There is also a war of deceptions. Indeed, there are many ways to fight anyone, we all know this.”
Contained in the 24 minutes, 56 seconds long audio also, are equally explicit threats to journalists and researchers whom Shekau suspects to be purveyors of information that are not reflective of his desires.
“You, Bulama Bukarti (referring to a London based researcher and lawyer) because they kept you in England and you are saying all sorts of things about those waging Jihad, you are in trouble,” he threatened with a swear.
He also threatened Ahmad Salkida, the editor-in-chief of HumAngle, the publication that reports insecurity and crisis across Africa. “Even you Salkida, the very person that is called Salkida, that we have known for a very long time, Wallahi be careful, Wallahi be careful,” Shekau warned.
In a note that draws from his Jihadi convictions he declared: “This religion that we are doing, it is not Shekau that you are targeting, it is Allah that you are targeting.”
This is the first time that Boko Haram has threatened Salkida publicly. In the past, according to the journalist the threats had come through mobile messages on phone and social media platforms by the group.
More details later.
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