Nigeria police dismiss Boko Haram ultimatum to southerners - The Nigeria police has described as 'empty and baseless' the purported ultimatum issued to southerners residing in the north by Boko Haram insurgents to leave within three days or be attacked. “We want to assure all Nigerians that they are safe wherever they may be residing. The Nigeria police has the mandate of protecting lives and property and we will continue to discharge that responsibility without fear or favour,” the local Punch newspaper Tuesday quoted Ajayi as saying.

A purported Boko Haram spokesman, identified by the local media as Mr. Abu Qaga, reportedly told the BBC that the decision asking the southerners to leave followed the State of Emergency which the government imposed on certain parts of the country.

The State of Emergency was imposed following the killing of 49 people in Christmas Day bombings in several states in the north, for which Boko Haram claimed responsibility.

“Our fellow Muslims are advised to come back to the North because we have evidence that they would be attacked. We are also giving three days ultimatum to the southerners living in northern Nigeria to move away.

“We find it pertinent to state that soldiers will only kill innocent Muslims in the local government areas where the state of emergency was declared. We would confront them squarely to protect our brothers,”  Mr. Qaga was quoted as saying.

Pana 03/01/2012