Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, has threatened to attack Muhummadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, in retaliation for the Emir’s call on Kano residents and other Nigerians to arm and defend themselves against the terror organisation.
In a new video, Mr. Shekau said his group does not consider Sanusi a true Muslim, and will attack him whenever an opportunity presents itself.
The Emir had earlier issued a call to arms after a series of deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants in Kano.
Speaking at Kano’s Central Mosque in October, the Emir charged the people of Kano to arm and defend themselves against the sect, which is responsible for more than 13,000 deaths.
Militants later launched a deadly assault on the Mosque on Friday, November 28, detonating multiple bombs and shooting worshippers.
Over 100 people died in the attack, which was believed was targeted at the emir.
The Emir, who had travelled out of Nigeria at the time, visited the mosque on his return, and re-affirmed his vow that the Kano people will not cower in the face of Boko Haram’s threats.
In a 19-minute new video first released Saturday, Shekau did not claim responsibility for the mosque attack.
But he said his group remained prepared to fight and kill anyone who challenges its ideology and all non-Muslims and “fake” Muslims like the emir.
“Before I start talking to my brothers who believe in me and the religion of Allah not the religion of democracy, not that of western education, those who believe in the religion of the Quran not that of the constitution and not religion of the Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Jonathan, Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida, Obama, Bush, Clinton, but the religion of Allah.
“Now listen to me Emir of Kano. I am talking to you and only you because of your recent utterances.
“Let me inform you now that you are late, you should know that you are only but the King of Kano, King of Central Bank, King of money, you are only Sanusi Lamido,” he said.
Shekau denounced the Emir’s religion as religion based on constitution, idol worship and homosexuality.
“Our own government is defined as government of the Allah by the Allah and for the Allah not as you define your own government as the government of the people by the people and for the people,” he said.
Shekau said his group will fight local vigilantes and hunters, who have successfully crushed the advances of its fighters in the northeast.
“Emir of Kano Sanusi, you are late, that our triumph is just for a period of time so you said. Even your predecessors who are renowned idol worshipers in Islamic history like ‘Abujahal’ could not succeed fighting Islam.
“Yes, you can say that our success is for a period of time, because you are a king of bank and a loyal citizen of this country,” Shekau said.