Boko Haram leader Shekau replies Borno governor after peace offer

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has been reported to have turned down the advice to embrace peace, stating that the war was just beginning.

The new message from the sect was in response to a call by Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum, to the sect’s leaders and members to turn away from their violent ways, embrace peace and return to normal life.

Ahmad Salkida, a journalist with close links to the Islamic sect, Sunday disclosed that Shekau had turned down the governor’s olive branch.

In a series of posts on his official twitter account, Salkida said: “In a calm tone, uncharacteristic of Shekau, he said the war was just starting. He vowed that his group was not ready to give up arms, chiding the governor for ‘misinterpreting’ a verse.

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“According to Shekau: His members that want to leave, “know that is about Allah, it is not about any human being.

“Informed analysts consider the exchange a good sign and have urged the governor not to relent in engaging the insurgents at all necessary levels.”

The North East state of Borno has been under attack by Boko Haram insurgents since 2009 with more than 20,000 people reported to have been killed by the terrorist group while millions have been displaced.

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