Three detained Boko Haram fighters, in an interview with Al Jazeera, opened up about why they chose to take up arms and join the violent Islamist movement that has claimed over 3,000 lives since 2009.
The men, Mohammed Ibrahim, Adam Abubakar and Ibrahim Mohammed, who are currently being held in a Maiduguri prison are asking for amnesty and their freedom. They spoke to Al Jazeera’s Yvonne Ndege in an exclusive, and explained they joined Boko Haram for religious reasons, to spread Sharia law.
Ibrahim Mohammed, who identified himself as a “teacher” in the sect, said he was arrested in August 2012.
He said his belief is that “there should be Islamic law” and admitted he has killed others who didn’t share similar beliefs. Another detainee, Adam Abubakar, a fighter in the sect, admitted that he did take part in violent acts that led to the killings of innocent civilians.
“Yes between me and God, I took arms to fight,” Abubakar said, admitting that he took part in attacking a vehicle transporting money to Damaturu and also attacked a bank in Bama in Borno.
As to the killing of innocents, the insurgents explained the thousands killed were simply collateral damage.
Mohammed Ibrahim, a Boko Haram commander who has been a member of the sect since 2009, said the killing of innocent Nigerians “happens by mistake.”
“If for example somebody innocent is passing by when we are fighting, if he dies and he is innocent, we don’t worry at all. We are forgiven by God,” Boko Haram commander Ibrahim said.
The men’s lawyer, Ahmed Maiaji, confirms their story, and is urging the military to bring the case against his clients to court.
The lawyer said keeping his clients detained for longer than 24 hours without charging them in a court is “lawlessness.”
“The military should be guided by at least a law… but they don’t even have the time to act in accordance to any law, they act according to what their minds tell them,” Maiaji said.
Al Jazeera reports, however, that the men are eager to be free from prison, asking for amnesty from the Federal Government.
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