The leadership of the Boko Haram sect yesterday admitted the arrest of its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, by security agents but said he was still alive. The sect also declared that the Federal Government would not know peace at it was planning more attacks in the days ahead. The Joint Task Force, JTF, in Kano State had, two weeks ago, said that the group’s spokesman was killed, while another senior member was arrested. But in a video message to some media houses, the sect said Qaqa and its leader, Abubakar Shekau, were still alive, hale and hearty, adding that its members would continue to fight with the last drop of their blood to protect Islam.
It also debunked report of dialogue with the Federal Government, saying it never sought or sat with any government agent or representative for that purpose.
The group also alleged that security agents had been arresting wives of their members, pointing out that in the last one week, seven wives of their members had been taken away by the authorities while all efforts to trace their whereabouts had been fruitless.
The message reads in part: “Without wasting much time, we are sending this message to the entire Nigerian people and leaders of pagans in the country; it is a well-known fact that the government is fighting us day and night simply because we are fighting for Islam.
“This short message is for the leaders and it is to inform them that they will never know peace with these attacks on our members and they will see more trouble. They have been arresting our women, especially wives of our members and in the last one week, seven wives of our members have been arrested and detained, their whereabouts up to this moment are unknown and God knows how many of such women have been taken away by the security agents, especially the married ones.
“The government is saying one thing and doing the contrary at the same time and let it be clear here that we never sought for dialogue or sat with government’s agents or representatives for any form of dialogue; it is all lies. The government is deceiving the Nigerian people on this issue of dialogue.
“Again, let me also state here that our spokesman, Abu Qaqa, is alive but with the security agents. But I believe strongly that after this message from me, they may decide to kill him this night.”
“As for our wives who are detained by the authorities, they should wait and see what happens according to Shariah law.
“The leader of the sect, Abubakar Shakau, is alive, hale and hearty, nothing happened to him. I am alive and nothing has happened to me. We will deal with the State Security Service, SSS, and I know I am on their throat.”
Source: National Mirrow