Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader

Leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau has taken on the governor of Borno state, Babagana  Zulum following the governor’s call on Boko Haram sect members and its leaders to turn away from their violent ways, embrace peace and return to a normal life.

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

This was contained in a twitter message by Ahmad Salkida, an investigative journalist who is familiar with the story.

According to him, Shekau in a recorded audio in Kanuri and Hausa declined the governor’s olive branch. In a calm tone, uncharacteristic of Shekau, he said the war was just only starting. He vowed that his group was not ready to give up arms, chiding the governor for ‘misinterpreting’ a verse.

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