Boko Haram Denies Killing General, Reiterates Plan to Talk and Ceasefire

November 4th, 2012

NewsRescue– The notorious terrorist group operating out of Nigeria’s Kanuri North East has denied killing General Muhammadu Shuwa, who was shot to death in front of his house last Friday. Spokesman for the group, a certain AbdulAzeez personality denied the groups involvement and reiterated the groups proposal to talk with the government and ceasefire.

However Nigerians unambiguously hold the group responsible for the respected and loved General’s death. Since the Boko Haram terror group began its fury of terror, they have directly and indirectly destroyed the entire region. They have put guns and ammunition into the hands of all and sundry and it is due to them that the Nations security forces, the JTF have been operating in the state killing criminal and civilian alike.

“Boko Haram, can not deny responsibility for all violent deaths in the North,” Yinusa, speaking to NewsRescue on the phone from Borno said. “They did this, before Boko Haram, Maiduguri was one of the safest places in the world. Now no body can sleep. Allah will reward them.”

DailyTrust- A purported spokesman for the Boko Haram sect yesterday said they were not responsible for the killing of retired General Muhammadu Shuwa in Maiduguri on Friday, raising questions as to who might have done it.

 The late Shuwa was shot dead by gunmen who were thought to be his guests, and the Joint Task Force said in a statement that the killing was carried out by “terrorists.”

 Abu Muhammad Ibn AbdulAzeez, who claimed to be a spokesman for the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’wati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, spoke to journalists in Maiduguri in a teleconference yesterday saying the sect did not kill the retired general.

He said the group had no reason to eliminate General Shuwa as he had never said anything wrong about them.

AbdulAzeez said they have great respect for the deceased and wondered why they should be accused of killing him.

When contacted on what Boko Haram said regarding the killing of General Shuwa, spokesman for the JTF Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa said last night: “The Boko Haram said what they wanted to say. As far as I am concerned, there is no comment.”

The killing of General Shuwa at his home in the volatile Gwange area has elicited questions, including whether his military guards were present or not when he was shot.

As a retired general, Shuwa was entitled to protection by military guards.

But security agencies in Borno State are yet to say anything specific on that.

Yesterday, the Boko Haram sect restated its readiness for dialogue.

Abu Abdulazeez said their choice of retired General Buhari, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and Shettima Ali Monguno as mediators is only for them to serve as “witnesses” in the proposed dialogue. He said the sect needed them to play such role because they were still doubtful about the Federal Government’s commitment to dialogue.

“We have the capacity to continue fighting but we have resolved to lay down our arms as a result of increased call for ceasefire from well-meaning Nigerians,” he said. Link: http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/other-sections/lead-stories/180317-questions-over-shuwa-killingas-boko-haram-say-they-didnt-do-it