Boko Harams orders Christians to leave the north of Nigeria

His Excellency the Most Reverend John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, has asked Nigerians to ignore a recent threat made by the Muslim terrorist group Boko Haram responsible for the deaths of at least 200 people following a series of five bomb attacks at Christian churches on Christmas Day.

Following President Goodluck Jonathan's declaration of a state of emergency, a spokesman for Boko Haram demanded, under threat of death, Christians to leave the north of Nigeria.  The "southerners" in the north have three days to return to the south.

Noting that Boko Haram does not speak for all Muslims, Archbishop Onaiyekan said:

First of all, I think I will be right to say that Boko Haram does not represent the authentic voice of the Muslims of Nigeria. The leaders of Islam in Nigeria have clearly disowned them. So, I do not know what has given them the feelings that they can speak on behalf of all Nigerian Muslims, or northern Muslims, let alone giving instructions to them to do anything.

He also said,

I believe firmly that, whatever desire to drive a wedge between Christians and Muslims may be, the fact is that the attack has rather brought us together since Muslims have been showing us expressions of condolences and sympathy, and they have been condemning what has happened.