Reacting to an audio clip released by the Boko Haram leader, some Nigerians on Twitter said they bought into Abubakar Shekau’s condemnation of the Sharia Court in Kano State, which sentenced a singer to death for “blasphemy” against Prophet Muhammad.
The capital sentence was passed against 22-year-old Yahaya Sharif-Aminu on Monday by an upper Sharia court in connection with a song circulated on WhatsApp.
In an 11-minutes-long clip obtained on Wednesday by HumAngle, Shekau described Kano as a land of the infidels and argued that there was no difference between the accused person and those who convicted him.
“You are not in an Islamic State. You are in the land of infidels,” he said. “Before he insulted the Prophet (PBUH), your lifestyle is an insult itself. Your lifestyle is also blasphemy against the prophet. How can you say you love someone and you slap him?”
Comments from Nigerians shared on Twitter, however, show that some may have assumed the Boko Haram leader was completely not in support of killing people thought to have disrespected the religion of Islam.
Maitama Ikoyi (@SodyBar) said he is “tempted to agree with Shekau”, seeing that his statement reflected the adage that even a spoilt clock is correct twice a day.
Aisha Yesufu, a human rights activist, said Shekau’s comments left her speechless. “And if you know me, I am usually never ever speechless,” she added.
“Nothing wey Naija no go make us see. Nigeria makes us eat worms in beans. Kai! Shekau is now the advocate? My skin is crawling!”
“Terrorists telling other terrorists that their brand terrorism is the wrong one,” Anjolaoluwa (@getmebayo) remarked briefly.
Nwachukwu (@NonsoDrafts) wrote, “When they say something is Upside-down, lmao. Diezani giving anti-corruption advice. Akpabio calling out Politicians for enriching themselves. Efcc chairman arrested over corruption allegations. Shekau becomes a human right activist. Nigeria is upside down.”
“Shekua is giving the Nigerian government double-edged sword,” another Twitter user observed.
“Release the guy and people will say Nigerian government now listen to a terrorist advise. Execute him and they will say even the terrorist who kills people at random denounced the guy’s execution. He played them here.”
Here are other reactions:
At this one time. Everyone seems to take side with our dare devil Abubakar Shekau himself. The Jagaban of Sambisa
— Oluwasinaayomi Toyin (@adamstoyin) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/MrOshotee/status/1293580083018502145
https://twitter.com/von_Bismack/status/1293567995177041920
https://twitter.com/Olanrewaju_Rex/status/1293561050407882752
https://twitter.com/AimThaMachine_/status/1293562900754444291
Nigeria is finished.
There are two Presidents in Nigeria now; Major Gen. Buhari and The Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Nigeria Alhaji Abubakar Shekau Ayatollah.Southern Nigeria must disengage from Nigeria now.
— BIBLE IS MY BOOK OF LAW. (@Ozac6) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Tife_fabunmi/status/1293585520035942402
A terrorist that is meant to be dead or hiding in a hole somewhere for fear that he is being hunted, is running daily current affairs commentary. I don tire.
— Mikewest (@Mikewes25328455) August 12, 2020
Once you hear from Shekau, it's the final word. He will not be killed because Shekau said it. If they kill that guy, Shekau will send his boys to Kano to enforce compliance with future orders.
It would have been funny if not tragic that a terrorist is weighing in on such issue.— Olaide A. Omideyi (@OmideyiOlaide) August 12, 2020
Against Idriss Deby Shekau was on the Ropes and Crying for Help..
Against Buhari Shekau is making Pronouncements and Condemnations as a law unto himself.
Nig is a Mess!!!Nigns Watch: The Kano State Death sentence against the "Blasphemer" will Overturned in a heartbeat.
— Ink_Hart (@rizzza) August 12, 2020
Wait a min… A murderer condemning murderers????
Wtf, 2020, stop the fucking bus! I'm done. https://t.co/xOsEuhmzQ1— Nimisire (@Nimisire) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/YimikaOwoaje/status/1293567907633528832
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
