Islamic extremist leader threatens Nigerian oil

February 20, 2014 | Politics & Social Unrest

The leader of Nigeria's extreme Islamist Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau in a new video message has threatened to attack oil interests in south-south Nigeria.

The leader of Nigeria’s extreme Islamist Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau in a new video message has threatened to attack oil interests in south-south Nigeria.

Maiduguri, Nigeria – The leader of Nigeria’s Islamic uprising is threatening to attack oil interests more than a thousand miles (kilometres) from the north-eastern base where his fighters are accused of killing more than 250 civilians this month.

In a new video message, Abubakar Shekau also warns leading Nigerian Muslim politicians and religious and traditional leaders that his fighters will target them for pursuing democracy and Western-style education.

He says his struggle to transform Africa’s biggest oil producer into an Islamic state is only just beginning. He says he will destroy oil refineries “in coming days.”

The warnings come the week Nigeria’s military has defended itself against charges by regional leaders that Shekau’s fighters are better armed and motivated.

The video was obtained Thursday by the AP through channels used for previous communications.

AP.