The claim by Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, that Christians also make up membership of Boko Haram, has been disputed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
According to The PUNCH, CAN General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, said it was not true that a Christian will be part of the Abubakar Shekau terror group.
Boko Haram seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate where Islamic law replaces the Nigerian constitution. How such a system can be in the interest of a non-Muslim is what the governor did not explain when he made the claim.
Zulum had said: “I’m from Borno State, and many of our children are into Boko Haram. I’m not denying the fact. But again, they are being sponsored by many people across the world. Among Boko Haram, we have white men, Asians, Africans, Muslims and Christians.”
But Daramola in an interview with The Punch said the governor’s claim only amounted to mudslinging because the terror group had always shown in several videos where they belonged.
He said: “Anyone who accuses the other must be able to prove it. For the governor to say such, then he must have evidence. Let him post the photo and video evidence on social media of Christians who are Boko Haram members. I don’t think there should be any fuss. Anybody can say anything.
“We have seen them (Boko Haram) on videos carrying flags and identifying themselves. So, let these criminals that the governor knows identify themselves as criminals. It is that simple. Nobody should mud-sling. It is a very bad thing. Whether they are Christians or Muslims, the act is very bad on its own and should be condemned.
“No Christian will carry those weapons to kill fellow humans. The commandments of God explicitly stated that thou shall not kill and you don’t kill either physically or any form. Christians that are Christians will never engage in that. If Zulum has his facts, let him put it out,” he said.