The sect’s leader stated this in a new video.
The Boko Haram sect has denied entering into any ceasefire agreement with the Federal Government.
The group stated this in a new video by its leader, Abubakar Shekau. The video is available to AP and quoted by Huffington Post.
“We
will not enter into any agreement with non-believers or the Nigerian
government,” Mr. Shekau was quoted as saying in Hausa language.
Mr. Shekau’s statement contradicts that of the federal government.
The
Minister of Special Duties and chairman of the presidential task force
negotiating with the group, Kabiru Turaki, had said the group had agreed
to a ceasefire with his committee. He said the ceasefire would soon be
signed publicly with the group.
Mr. Turaki had, however, said his committee did not meet nor negotiate with Mr. Shekau directly, but negotiated with his deputy.
To burn more schools
Mr. Shekau also said in the video that his group was not responsible for killing of school children in Borno and Yobe States.
“We
don’t touch small children, we only burn the schools,” he said. “Our
religion does not permit us to touch small children and women, we don’t
kill children.”
The sect leader’s claim tallies with that
announced by Mr. Turaki, who said the sect told his committee that they
were not responsible for the attack on a government secondary school in
Mamudo. About 28 students and a teacher were killed when gunmen attacked
the school, weeks after similar attacks in other parts of Yobe and
Borno. Most of the Mamudo students were burnt alive, witnesses had said.
Mr.
Shekau, however, said he supported the attacks on the schools and his
sect would “burn down the schools, if they are not Islamic religious
schools for Allah.”
The Boko Haram leader also said his sect would attack and kill teachers teaching western education.
Attacks
by Boko Haram and gunmen have continued- although to a lesser degree,
according to residents- in Borno and Yobe despite the declaration of a
State of Emergency in the states by President Goodluck Jonathan almost
two months ago.