A new radical Islamist sect, Ansaru, on Sunday claimed responsibility for the recent kidnapping of a French national in Katsina.
The group cited France’s push for military intervention in Mali as a justification, accordint to AFP.
A statement by the group said, “Ansaru announces to the world, especially the French government, that it was responsible for the abduction of engineer Francis Colump, 63, working for the French company Vergnet.”
Wednesday last week, about 30 gunmen stormed Vergnet’s residence in Katsina State, where the alternative energy firm has a wind power project.
“The reason for his kidnap is the stance of the French government and the French people on Islam,” said the statement written in Hausa.
The group specifically pointed to “France’s major role in the (planned) attack on the Islamic state in northern Mali.”
It also cited France’s “law outlawing the use of Islamic veil by Muslim women.”
Paris has backed plans to deploy a west African force in northern Mali to flush out the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist groups who took control of the vast desert territory earlier this year.
“We inform the French government that this group will continue launching attacks on the French government and French citizens … as long as it does not change its stance on these two issues,” the Ansaru statement said.
The police chief in Katsina, Abdullahi Magaji, told AFP that there were indications that former or current employees of Vergnet had been involved, arguing that the attack appeared to be “an inside job.
Ansaru is less well known than Islamist group Boko Haram, which is waging a deadly insurgency in the North since 2009.
The two groups are known to have ties but are seen as independent.
In November, Britain’s interior ministry identified Ansaru as a “Nigeria-based terrorist organisation” and declared membership or support for it illegal.
The group’s full name, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan, is roughly translated as Vanguards for the aid of Muslims in black Africa.
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When will these people form a good organization in this country? God help them.
ReplyDeleteSeriously is this what the quoran is talking about bcos I dnt understand this ppl are killing and kidnaping innocent ppl i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ the name of muslim religion and ur qouran. This ur last worning if its what is i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ ur religion stop all this rubish before U̶̲̥̅̊ Ơ̴̴̴̴͡.̮Ơ̴̴̴͡ God anger. 2013 is not a year of killing or kidnapping. If U̶̲̥̅̊ want anything from FG there other ways of doing it not τ̅☺ D̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ kill innocent ppl
ReplyDeleteThey should go to France and attack them,this is not a genuine reason.They'll always have fake lessons to give for their violence.They do attack churches but said that they are not against xtians but the government.Hypocrates!
ReplyDeleteThey should go to France and attack them,this is not a genuine reason.They'll always have fake lessons to give for their violence.They do attack churches but said that they are not against xtians but the government.Hypocrates!
ReplyDeleteThis is Nigeria not France territory. This nonsense must stop, Nigeria is not a testing ground for terrorists or Jihadist movement. FGN have a lot to do. Empower everyone with arms and lets destroy these set.
ReplyDeleteAllah help us in Nigeria.Allah dis ppl want to destroy the name of islam.my religion does not say ,we shoud kill,kidnap,destroy property.Allah will destroy boko haram,ansaru and d sponsorer of dis ppl.who are tanishing own image not islam.new yr Allah wil open all dere secret, insha Allah.
ReplyDeleteThe God who created heaven and earth will punish you boko haram in Jesus name amen
ReplyDelete