Nigeria Says Not Aware Of Borno Haram Abuja Video

Nigeria authorities have denied any knowledge of a purported video in which Boko Haram claims responsibility for a recent deadly car bombing in the capital Abuja.



"I am not aware yet of such a video," police spokesman Frank Mba told Anadolu Agency.



Some media outlets reported earlier that Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau had claimed responsibility for the April 14 car park bombing in a new video.



He allegedly threatened more attacks on the capital Abuja in the 28-minute video.



No link of the purported video was available until the filing of this report.



Some 75 people were killed last week in a bomb blast in one of the capital Abuja's largest car parks.



The blast occurred in a section of the park used by El-Rufai Buses, a major interstate transport company.



More than 1000 people have been killed by the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria's three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in recent weeks.



A hitherto peaceful organization that had preached against government corruption, Boko Haram suddenly turned violent in 2009 following the murder of its leader, Mohamed Yusuf, while in police custody.



In the years since, the group has been blamed for thousands of terrorist acts, including attacks on churches and security posts across Nigeria's northern region.



Although it claims to want an Islamist government in the region, Nigerian Muslims – most of whom reject Boko Haram as un-Islamic – have also been targeted by the militant group.



By Rafiu Ajakaye



englishnews@aa.com.tr - Lagos