Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says Boko Haram is
targeting Christians in an attempt to trigger a religious war in the country.
Recently, the insurgents killed Lawan Andimi, chairman of
the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika, Adamawa state, and
Ropvil Dalep, a student of the University of Maiduguri and a member of the
Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) among others in attacks perceived to be
against Christians.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mohammed said the
insurgents have now realised how divisive religion could be when exploited.
The minister said although Boko Haram has also not stopped
attacking Muslims, it seems to now
“have a deliberate policy of attacking Christians.”
According to him, this strategy is coming after a renewed
onslaught by “our tireless military against Boko Haram and their ISWAP allies
in recent times.”
“They have started targeting Christians and Christian
villages for a specific reason, which is to trigger a religious war and throw
the nation into chaos,” he said.
“Apparently, they have realized how emotive and divisive
religion can be, when exploited by unscrupulous persons.
“Lest I am misunderstood, let me repeat: the insurgents, who
delude themselves as Muslims whereas they are nothing more than blood-thirsty,
rapacious killers who subscribe to no religion, have recently started targeting
Christians with a view to sowing the seed of confusion between the two great
religions.
“This did not in any way signify that they have stopped
attacking Muslims. But they seem to now have a deliberate policy of attacking
Christians. Some have misinterpreted this to insinuate a systematic campaign to
persecute Christians in Nigeria.
“This is absurd, and very unfair to the men and women who
are daily battling the insurgents.”
The minister appealed to religious leaders not to fall for
the tactics of the insurgents.
He said the “renewed vigour” by the military in the war
against the insurgents “is paying off handsomely.”
“These include; the killing of top ISWAP leaders at two
separate meeting venues at Marte local government in Borno state a few days
ago,” Mohammed said.
“A similarly successful attack against the leadership of
Boko Haram in Alafa Yagayaga in Borno earlier this month. The killing of Boko
Haram chief Judge in Lake Chad.
“The in-fighting in the leadership cadre of Boko Haram is a
fallout of the pressure on the insurgents by the military.”
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I thought they said that Boko Haram was not targeting Christians and that CAN was lying. Now their oracle that speaks from both sides of his mouth has come to change the story. These people are terribly and shamefully confused.
ReplyDeleteMy thought too while going through the piece. God will fight for his own.
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