The recent spate of violent attacks and raids in Plateau state, blamed on suspected Fulani herdsmen, may be the work of the Boko Haram sect after all.
“Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad sect” (people committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and Jihad), as the sect is officially known claimed responsibility for Plateau state’s bloody weekend in which at least 80 have been confirmed dead, Sahara Reporters said.
An exclusive source for the online media said the sect “carried out attacks against the continued injustices against Muslims in Plateau state, and Nigeria at large”.
Officials confirmed at least 30 killed in Saturday’s raids when assailants, numbering up to 100, raided some nine villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom areas of the state.
Police said people were killed in Barkin Ladi, while property was destroyed in Riyom. However, new reports said some 50 bodies were found in the burnt home of a Pastor in Riyom.
The death toll rose in the restive central state when the attackers struck again the following day, killing attendees of the mass burial held for victims of the previous day’s attacks.
Plateau state Senator, Gyang Dantong and state lawmaker, Gyang Fulani, were among the victims claimed in Sunday’s killings.
Boko Haram, known for its attacks of security agencies and places of worship in the northern states, has struck in Plateau state in the past, but usually carrying out minor attacks in major areas like Jos, the state’s capital.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has referred to the killings in the largely Christian communities as a “wake up call” to the Jonathan led administration.
The organisation said it had lost faith in the ability of the Federal Government’s Special Task Force to protect the lives and properties of residents in those communities.
Jonathan, who recently made sweeping changes, including sacking former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi, has expressed his vote of confidence in Azazi’s replacement, Sambo Dasuki.
However, the sect is also debunking Dasuki’s claims that he has inroads with members of Boko Haram.
The newly crowned NSA has said that he has contact information for members of the Boko Haram sect and will initiate dialogue that will bring the violence to an end.
The Sahara Reporters’ source says this is not true.
“You people have a shallow understanding of what they stand for. They are working for Allah’s work and not human and they have done it, and it is a big success in the course of Allah’s work. Give me some hours and I will give you more details but for now this is the fact. They have acknowledged and affirmed it,” the source told Sahara Reporters.
