Why we bombed Thisday Office -Boko Haram *Sect threatens more attacks against media

Violent Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for the twin bomb explosions  that rocked both the Abuja head office and the Kaduna office of Thisday  Newspaper warning that it will soon unleash more terror against unfriendly media  houses.

This is even as President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the attacks, urging the  media not to be dissuaded by the unprovoked bombings. Boko Haram spokesman, Abdul Qaqa in an exclusive interview with Premium  Times, an online publication said that the bombing was to send a strong signal to 
the media that the sect will no longer tolerate uncomplimentary reports in the press.

The sect, he warned, will also not spare foreign media outfits of the ordeal if their  reports were found to be unfavourable.

“We have repeatedly cautioned reporters and media houses to be professional and  objective in their reports. This is a war between us and the Government of Nigeria;  unfortunately the media have not been objective and fair in their report of the ongoing war, they chose to take side,” Qaqa was quoted as saying.

He identified three instances where he claimed his group was deliberately  misrepresented by the media. The first, according to him, was the rumour of his  capture by the Nigerian intelligence agencies. “Some reporters are aware that I am Abul Qaqa, they know my voice through our   long interactions and they also know the role of Abu Darda who heads the  enlightenment committee and sometimes facilitates interviews; yet they (media) go  by the unsubstantiated view of government that Abul Qaqa is in custody and I am the new spokesman or number two,” he said. Premium Times had continuously reported that Abul Qaqa was not arrested contrary to reports and that it was Abu Darda, another member that was arrested.

The second misrepresentation, according to Mr. Qaqa, was the reporting on the  kidnappings of foreigners in the Northern part of Nigeria. “Another issue was the recent kidnappings in the north; we were clear with our position as a group during a teleconference with reporters but we were shocked the 
next day when newspaper headlines added a lot of things which I never said during  that interview.”

The third example, Mr. Abul Qaqa said, is the mistranslation of the video the group 
posted recently. “Another example is the recent video posted on YouTube by our Imam; I challenge 
every Nigerian to watch that video again. There is no place our Imam either said he  will crush President Jonathan or issued an ultimatum to the government in Nigeria; but nearly all papers carried very wrong and mischievous headlines.” When asked why THISDAY appeared specifically chosen for the attack, Mr. Qaqa said THISDAY’s “sins” are more grievous. “It is not only THISDAY that has been engaged in negative media campaign, fictional stories and constantly promoting fake stories by the JTF to give an  impression that they are making headway against us yet there is no time the  media investigated further as an objective and responsible bystander in this war.  But the sins of THISDAY are more. “They once insulted the Prophet Mohammed in 2001 and we have not forgotten. They recently said our Imam executed me which is false. Here I am speaking to  you, I am alive and healthy,” he stated.

April 27, 2012