Lagos, Nigeria - Nigerian Islamic sect Boko Haram has rejected the recommendations by a government panel to stem the sect's attacks, while vowing to carry out more attacks. The panel had recommended, among others, that the government should consider entering into talks with the sect and to involve certain key leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, in the talks.

But Boko Haram spokesman Abu Qaga was quoted by local newspapers Wednesday as saying the sect considers the Sultan as a government official, not the leader of Muslims in the country, and that it was not satisfied with the work of the committee.

He reiterated the sect's demands, which include severe punishment for the security agents who killed their leader, Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf, and other members of the sect in the July 2009 uprising; reconstruction of their places of worship which were destroyed by security agencies in the northern city of Maiduguri and other states of the federation; immediate release of all their detained members, and the payment of appropriate compensation to them for all their properties destroyed by security agencies in the country.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for recent bomb attacks in Nigeria, including the bombing of the police headquarters and the UN house, both in the capital city of Abuja.

The fear of Boko Haram has permeated Nigeria, and has forced a low profile celebration of the country's 51st independence anniversary.

Pana 28/09/2011