Modu Sheriff Confirms There Are Now 10,000 Members Of Boko Haram, Says They Are Used To Settle Political Scores Former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sherrif, alleged to be one of the chief sponsors of the deadly Boko Haram has confirmed that there are now ten thousand members of Boko Haram terrorizing the people in many parts of the Northern Nigeria. Modu Sherrif dismissed the allegation that he is sponsoring the sect, adding: “Those linking me with the sect are either ignorant or completely out for mischief. The sect has become captive of political forces and used for settling political scores.” The former governor who addressed newsmen at a press conference in Abuja said that all his actions as governor were to guide his people right. Modu Sheriff even as he threatened to sue Stephen Davies, the Australian negotiator who floated the allegation of his sponsorship of Boko Haram. He said that he is prepared to face any panel in the world to clear his name, saying: “I have no association with any terrorist anywhere. I have never met the group. I cannot be a sponsor of a group I have not met before. I don’t have foot soldiers, as they alleged.” The former governor described the allegations against him as unfair, saying they are being peddled for political reasons, pointing out that he has suffered from the sect’s activities and was at a time even targeted for elimination. “My name has been mentioned for political reasons over the attacks of Boko Haram. I have been accused unfairly in connection with Boko Haram since I left office. “For the records, let me state categorically that I do not share the same ideology with Boko Haram.” He claimed that he is opposed to the philosophy of the militants, adding: “it is instructive to point out that I have been one of the greatest victims of Borno. I was a target of Boko Haram during my time because I refused to abdicate my responsibility.” Modu Sheriff recalled that his younger brother, Alhaji Goni, was killed by Boko Haram, as were also some of his friends and associates. “For the records, the late leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, once named me, Umaru Yar’Adua and some other leaders as targets. He boasted he would deal with all of us.” He also recalled that he even banned Boko Haram and outlawed the group but that the sect later changed its name and continued to wreak havoc. “The fact that one of my commissioners, Buji Koi was named as member of the group does not make me a member. It doesn’t make sense. I leave the rest for Nigerians to judge whether it is a crime to do good to all men.”
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:11:41 +0000