Renewed fear has been observed among Christians living in Muslim-dominated areas in Nigeria following the proclamation by the new Boko Haram leader, Musab Albarnawi, who has now declared war on Christians in an official message declaring the group’s new strategy.
Military authorities have said that Albarnawi was only bluffing as according to them Boko Haram has already been degraded and has no capacity to wreck havoc in any party of the country.
But security operatives particularly those in the frontline in Borno state said the threat cannot be treated lightly. According to them, they have been fighting these bad elements for years and understand their tactics.
“We accept anything the government wants us to accept as far as this crises is concerned, but we believe what we believe and would not be deceived by our loved ones in a matter like this. Boko Haram have not been degraded completely as we are made to believe. They are still out there. I can only say they they are hibernating. We transport our comrades wounded in the fight and only people who are close to us know what the war is like. The rest of the people will only continue to accept what they are being told,” A soldier informed one of the church leaders in Maiduguri, Friday.
Albarnawi who was said to have been acting in the capacity of a spokesman for the Boko Haram sect, on Wednesday wins the favor of ISIS and was declared the new leader of the group. “We’ll kill all Christians, bomb all churches in Nigeria” was his first massage to his followers and agents.
It was reported that between the time of the declaration of a new leader for the Boko Haram and Friday morning, churches and Christians particularly in Borno state have received red alert, preparing again to stay on guard.
Some of the residents, who have witnessed bloodshed and are only managing to stay have started having a rethink.
“Everything is like going back to the former time, when we run here and there seeking refuge. I know a family who has already left town as we speak. I also have been having series of phone calls from my parents and family members asking me to leave the north since yesterday,” Jacob Olotu, a civil servant informed our correspondent.
In an interview with some foreign newspapers, which was translated in English, Musab Albarnawi, who was said to be the son of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf was quoted to have said that, their new war would target Christians and churches.
He claimed that, the west through the numerous NGOs coming to the northeast and building camps for IDPs are nothing but the shrewdness of the west to bring Muslims together with the aim of converting them to Christianity.
“They WEST are exploiting the condition of the Internally Displaced persons, IDPs, with food and shelter in order to Christianize them. We must stop them.” Albarnawi had said.
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