The leader of the Nigeria-based Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) affiliate Boko Haram has reportedly reappeared in a new video, claiming Christians and Muslims cannot coexist in the West African country as equals.
“There is no way [for] we Muslims in mosques and Christians in churches, and you [Islamic clerics] think we can work together,” declared a man claiming to be Abubakar Shekau. “This has never happened before even during the lifetime of all apostles of the prophet.”
Nigeria has a significant Christian population, continuously persecuted by the jihadist group.
According to the CIA World Factbook, 50 percent of the population is Muslim, 40 percent Christian, and the rest practice indigenous beliefs.
The terrorist group posted the 14-minute long video on YouTube. Nigeria’s Premium Times has translated Shekau’s remarks to English.
In a move described as “unusual” by the Nigerian news outlet, the terrorist leader threatened “so-called Islamic clerics” in Nigeria, accusing them of misleading Muslims about the true teachings of Islam and dismissing them as “betrayers” for condemning Boko Haram as well as allegedly urging Christians and Muslims to live in peace
“My message is to Islamic clerics in Nigeria who, despite their position, are giving [the] wrong interpretation to the Holy Quran; you are playing with hellfire,” declared Shekau. “You have to be careful because Quran has divided mankind into three; some are believers, some are hypocrites, and some are non-believers.”
The Boko Haram chief acknowledged that constitutional democracy is incompatible with the group’s intended goal of establishing Sharia law.
“If you are insisting on dialogue we have to have a situation where Muslims are ruling with Sharia, and the non-Muslims agree to remain by the side without interference, then we can discuss on their rights; such non-Muslims are the ones that could be labelled as the trusted,” said the Boko Haram chief, addressing clerics.
“But where the country is being run by constitution and democracy, such kind of dialogue cannot be possible. And you the Islamic clerics are all out there preaching in the mosques and spoiling the image of Islam. If you don’t repent you shall not end well,” he continued.
Boko Haram leader also claimed responsibility for an ambush of a convoy of commercial, private, and government vehicles escorted by armed soldiers and law enforcement officials, noting that the jihadist organization has abducted an estimated 16 policewomen to serve as slaves.
Boko Haram reportedly killed two people, including a police officer, during the incident
Al Jazeera has reported that the war between Boko Haram and the U.S.-backed Nigerian military has led to 20,000 casualties since 2009, including Christian civilians who have been abducted and forced to marry Islamic extremists.
“The terrorist group has bombed churches and government buildings, vowing to drive out all followers of Christ from the country,” notes the Christian Post.
Abu Musab al-Barnawi threatened Christians soon after he was elected to serve as the group’s spokesman in August 2016.
“They strongly seek to Christianize the society,” proclaimed al-Barnawi at the time. “They exploit the condition of those who are displaced under the raging war, providing them with food and shelter and then Christianizing their children.”
The Nigerian military has wrongfully claimed to have killed the Boko Haram leader on several occassions.
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