Radical Sect Leader Challenges Nigerian President

Posted January 27th, 2012 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
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A leader of the Nigeria's radical Islamic sect Boko Haram has challenged the president's vow to crush the group in an audio message posted on the Internet.

The message posted on YouTube shows a still image of Imam Abubakar Shekau flanked by Kalashnikov rifles.

In the message, he says President Goodluck Jonathan will learn he cannot defeat Boko Haram, and he warned the militant group will strike again.

Shekau said Boko Haram carried out coordinated attacks in the northern city of Kano on January 20, which killed at least 185 people. But he blamed security forces for the civilian deaths in the attacks.

President Jonathan has been under increasing pressure to bring an end to the escalating attacks, most of which have been carried out across the predominently Muslim north. Christians dominate the south.

Mr. Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in parts of the north and this week he pressured the police chief and his deputies to retire.

Human Rights Watch this week blamed Boko Haram for more than 900 deaths since 2009.

Boko Haram has said it is fighting to implement a strict interpretation of Sharia law across Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.

The ongoing violence has raised concerns that Nigeria, which is also Africa's biggest oil producer, is sliding toward civil war.