why we attacked kano-boko haram

MAIDUGURI—THE Boko Haram sect has given reasons for its
weekend attacks, which led to the killing of about 162 people
in Kano State, saying it was to avenge the persecution of its
members.
Spokesman of the group, Abul Qaqa, made this known in a
telephone interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, yesterday.
Claiming responsibility for the attacks and multiple bombings
on police stations, State Security Services, SSS, and passport
office buildings in Kano metropolis, Qaga said: “Last night’s
(Friday) attacks and bombings of Kano city followed our
warnings in the second week of December, 2011.”
‘We warned Kano stakeholders’
Besides, Qaqa also referred reporters to an e-mail message in
which Imam Muhammad
Abubakar Shekau, Spiritual Head of the sect, threatened that:
“Unless urgent steps are taken, the group will launch endless
and violent attacks on Kano and its environs because of
arbitrary arrest and persecution of his members.”
Vanguard learnt that in the said e-mail, Shekau said the group
had written an open letter to the people of Kano, including the
Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; Governor Musa Kwankwaso,
Alhaji Aminu Dantata and Khalifa Sheikh Isiaka Rabiu on
recent happenings in the ancient city.
A paramedic helps a young man, injured during one of the
multiple explosions and shooting attacks, as he leaves the
Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in AFP PHOTO
Shekau revealed that but for the intervention of some
prominent scholars in Kano, his group would have made the
city ungovernable a long time ago.
Alleges persecution
Qaqa said: “The message here is that everybody knows that a
lot of our people were killed in Kano State, especially in Wudil
town. We had perfected plans to take revenge but some
notable scholars intervened by pleading with us.
“They also assured that our members would nevear be
persecuted again and we took them by their words.
Unfortunately, however, about five months ago, security
agencies began trailing and arresting our members who are
carrying out their legitimate businesses, alleging that they are
all thieves and armed robbers.
“Again, we perfected plans to attack the city of Kano but the
scholars pleaded that we should not. They advised that we
should write a formal letter of complaint to some notable
people. We agreed and sent letters to the Emir of Kano,
Wamban Kano, Dan Masanin Kano and the governor of Kano
State.
“We also posted the open letter on the internet, but nothing
was done to stop the persecution of our members.
“Recently, security agencies launched a fresh onslaught on
some of our members in Kano city in which even women and
children were not spared. Many houses were raided and a
pregnant woman was manhandled.
‘We respected Kano’
“Some of our members were tortured with electric shock. All
these things happened in Kano, a city that we hold in high
esteem.
“We have varied opinions about Kano, including the option of
launching endless campaign of violence, but the scholars that
have been talking to us are still persuading us to tarry a
while.
“We are compelled to write this open letter so that the world
will know what is happening.”