Boko Haram Deny Responsibility For Killing Of Students In Yobe

Naija news

10.07.2013, 16:34  Local

The leadership of the Boko Haram sect have, in private discussions with a presidential committee, denied being responsible for the killing of dozens of secondary school students in Yobe State.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Tanimu Turaki. Mr. Turaki, whose committee recently announced a ceasefire with the outlawed group, said this on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja.

He, however, said security agencies would have to investigate the sect's claim. "As far as the commission of crime is concerned, security agencies anywhere will not rely on the confessions or denial of supposed suspect as the basis for their investigation.

" I'm sure Nigerian security agencies are very competent and they will look at all the facts and circumstances and then they will be able to carry out their investigation without bias, and then arrive at the final decision of who really was behind that unfortunate act (students killing).

"But they (Boko Haram) said (denied the killing) and for us it is left or the security agencies to determine that they were not responsible" he said.

About 28 students and one teacher at the Government Secondary School in Mamudo, Yobe were killed on Saturday when gunmen stormed the school. Most of the victims were burnt alive, witnesses said.

The attack has been condemned by President Goodluck Jonathan, the ruling party, the opposition, and other Nigerians. Mr. Turaki, who is also the Minister of Special Duties, said his committee was able to achieve a ceasefire with the group because trust was established between the sect and the committee.

He, however, said his committee was yet to meet or discuss with the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, but was meeting with his deputy.