New Nigerian Terrorist Group Claims Responsibility For Kidnapped Frenchman

A less known but equally radical Islamist sect which claimed responsibility for the brazen attack on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, headquarters in Abuja last month, on Sunday, claimed responsibility for the recent kidnapping of a French national in Katsina.

JAMA’ATU ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN, JAMBS
JAMA’ATU ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN, JAMBS

The group, known as the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan, JAMBS, which roughly translates as Vanguards for the aid of Muslims in black Africa, cited France’s push for military intervention in Mali as a justification.

A statement by the group which was written in Hausa read, “Ansaru announces to the world, especially the French government, that it was responsible for the abduction of engineer Francis Colump, 63, working for the French company Vergnet.”

It would be recalled that Wednesday last week, about 30 gunmen stormed Vergnet’s residence in Katsina State, where the alternative energy firm has a wind power project.

“The reason for his kidnap is the stance of the French government and the French people on Islam”.

The group specifically pointed to “France’s major role in the (planned) attack on the Islamic state in northern Mali.”

Also cited was the country’s “law outlawing the use of Islamic veil by Muslim women.”

“We inform the French government that this group will continue launching attacks on the French government and French citizens … as long as it does not change its stance on these two issues,” the Ansaru statement said.

Meanwhile, the Katsina state commissioner of police, Abdullahi Magaji, has giving indications that former or current employees of Vergnet had been involved, arguing that the attack appeared to be “an inside job.”

 

1 COMMENT

  1. AM Really Concerned for both Christmas & new year Eve and DAY Celebration in Nigeria by this ill-disposed BOKO-HARAM. However, I Strongly advice for more Security in ALL OUR BORDERS, especially during this Celebration period. God Saves Nigerians from BOKO – HARAM. “Amen”.