Ex-Obasanjo’s aide faults Boko Haram claim on killings

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-79, 99-07), Presidency Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Former Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Media and Publicity, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has faulted statements credited to Boko Haram that it was responsible for the killings in Plateau State on Saturday and Sunday.

Okupe told our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday that the claim of the Islamic fundamentalists was an attempt to pit Christians against Muslims.

Okupe said, “I do not believe the claim by Boko Haram that it is responsible for what happened in Jos in the last couple of days. This is an input by people who are desperate to create turmoil, confusion and chaos in the country. They want to set Muslims against Christians.

“It is to further destabilise and intimidate the government.

“The problem in Jos is a territorial and ethnic crisis between the Hausa/Fulani people and the indigenes of Plateau State. It has no religious consideration.”

He added, “The tribal groups that have been fighting in Jos have never spoken before. They have no media voice or image. This is a blatant falsification of opinion. This is the hand of Esau and Jacob. This is not their voice. They do not speak. The calibre of people fighting in Jos are not political or religious. The pattern of the killings in Jos has no religious colouration. Anybody can lay claims to killings, if it falls in line with Boko Haram’s interest, they will not deny it.”

He, however, appealed to Christians, especially those in the South to disregard the claim and resist any group proposing religious crisis in the country.

Okupe blamed the security agencies in Plateau for the mass killings on Sunday, calling on the Federal Government to commit more funds and deploy more security personnel in the state.

He added, “ The problem we have is that there is a war going on in some parts of the country and we have refused to accept that it is war.”

-Punchwp_posts