28th December, 2010
A new radical muslim group that styles itself Jama’Atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad, has claimed responsibility for the several bombs that killed over 80 people in Jos and four in Maiduguri, Borno state last week.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, at least 189 victims were hospitalised in the wake of the attacks, while out of these, 70 have been treated and discharged.
Latest reports indicate that arsonists set several homes ablaze yesterday in the tin city and made it impossible for the dead to be buried.
Jama’Atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad on its website http://mansoorah.net/sb_attacks.php describes itself as Jihadists against Nigeria, promises more attacks and announces that it is operating under the leadership of one Abu Mohammed, alias Abubakar Bin Mohammed Shekau.
Here is the statement issued by the group: “In the name of Allah the mighty Who has power over everything, Who made fighting the disbelievers an obligation until justice is established on earth.
May peace and blessings continue to be upon the last messenger who wage jihad,
the best of it.
O Nations of the World, be informed that verily the attacks in Suldaniyya (Jos) and Borno on the eve of Christmas was carried out by us, Jama’Atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad, under the leadership of Abu Muhammad, Abubakar bin Muhammad Shekau (May Allah preserve him), to start avenging the atrocities committed against Muslims in those areas, and the country in general. Therefore we will continue with our attacks on disbelievers and their allies and all those who help them, until Allah’s deen triumph by His Grace and Will.
O Muslims! Do not forget that Allah has enjoined us to make provisions for fighting the disbelievers, and for that we are reminding you that the disbelievers of the world are fighting Islam and Muslims. So you must stand and strive to protect your religion and life.’’
The emergence of this group, still being denied as phantom by Nigeria’s security agencies, confirms the long held suspicions that al-Qaeda affiliated groups were incubating in Nigeria. The new bombs should now be a wake up call to the security agencies that Nigeria may be at the threshold of a religious war.
The News Agency of Nigeria, quoting the spokesman of the Joint Special Task Force in Jos, Capt Charles Nkwocha, reports that soldiers prevented three men from planting bombs near First Baptist Church in Nasarawa Gwong yesterday.
Soldiers recovered the bombs after the three men had fled.
The Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has blamed the blasts on security lapses. He said that three persons were arrested some weeks ago making bombs at different locations but the security agencies were quiet until they succeeded in making the bombs and killing people.
The state Commissioner for Information, Gregory Yenlong, said the the attacks were politically motivated. Tension has gripped the city. Security operatives at checkpoints use metal detectors to frisk motorists before allowing them to pass.
The Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Brig.-Gen Hassan Umaru has given his troops a shoot-on-sight order to stem the dire situation.
