Ansar-Ud-Deen Denies Link With Boko Haram

The Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria on Wednesday denied having any link with a splinter group of the extremist Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The society stated this in a release issued by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muibudeen Adebanjo, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

Adebanjo said the release was sequel to a statement circulated in Kano by a splinter group of the Boko Haram, Ansarul- Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, and signed by its leader, Abu Uamata Al’Ansari.

He said the Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria was a registered Islamic organisation which had over time propagated the tenets of Islam and had achieved tremendous feats in the development of education in the country. “Our society has since been contributing immensely to the development of education and the society at large,” Adebanjo said.

Adebanjo urged Nigerians not to regard the splinter group of Boko Haram as an affiliate of the society, saying the “ Ansaru” used in its name tag of the splinter group had nothing to do with Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria.

“We have severally condemned the heinous activities of the Boko Haram sect and we shall never have anything to do with a terrorist group nor its splinter groups,” he said.

He urged members of the society to be steadfast in their prayers for an evil-free society and continue to propagate Islam in the righteous way the Qur’an taught them without violence.

NAN reports that the Ansaru group reportedly broke away over its displeasure with the mainstream Boko Haram’s style of operations, describing the group as inhuman.

“For the first time, we are glad to announce to the public the formation of the group that has genuine basis.

“We would have dispassionate look into everything to encourage what is good and see to its spread and to discourage evil and try to eliminate it,” the group had said.

NAN also reports that the group vowed to restore dignity and sanity among Muslims in black Africa, particularly in Sokoto Caliphate and Nigeria.