A group which
identified itself as Jama atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda a Waati Wal Jihad has
claimed responsibility for the killing of the All Nigerian People’s
Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Borno state. Unknown gunmen had, on
last week, assassinated the contestant, Modu Fannami Gubio, and six
others shortly after Jum’at prayers in Maiduguri, the state capital.
In a statement
posted in different locations in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the group also
claimed responsibility for the bomb blast that rocked churches in the
Plateau state capital. Islamic sect Boko Haram had earlier claimed
responsibility for the Jos bombings that claimed at least 60 lives. The
group claimed to be under the leadership of Abu Mohammed Abubakar Bin
Mohammed, an Imam popularly called Shekau. Mr. Mohammed was the
military commander of the late leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf,
who was killed by security operatives in 2009 after the sect launched
attacks against police stations and demanded for the imposition of
Sharia law on the entire nation.
According to the
statements posted across Maiduguri, Jama atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda a Waati
Wal Jihad stated: “We will continue with our attacks and anyone who
tries to assist our enemies will also face the same fate.”
But in a swift
reaction to the claim, Lawal Abdullahi, the police public relations
officer for Borno State, said the claim could neither be accepted nor
dismissed. Mr. Abdullahi said that a team of detectives led by a deputy
inspector-general of police was currently investigating the killings.
“We are, however,
advising law abiding citizens of Borno state to go about their normal
businesses without any fear, as the police are on top of the
situation,” said the police chief.
NAN
