Video After The Jump
The hunt is on for Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shakau. The United States has labeled him a terrorist. The country is offering $7 million for his capture.
The hope is that once Shakau is apprehended, the attacks on innocent Nigerians that have claimed thousands of lives and the kidnappings of hundreds of women will subside.
On Saturday, April 19, Shakau released a video taking responsibility for last week's bombing at a busy bus station in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, that killed at least 75 people and wounded 141.
"This is a prelude. Yes, we are the ones who carried out the attack in Abuja," Shakau said, According to The Christian Science Monitor and CNN. "We are in your city, but you don't know where we are. Let me be blunt: I am in your city, near you. Find me."
Abubakar bin Mohammad Shekau
Boko Haram is also suspected to have kidnapped 129 schoolgirls on the same day as the bus station bombing. 45 of them have managed to escape. 84 are still missing.
CNNi Africa analyst Jacob Zenn said that according to Shakau's interpretation of Islam, "it was acceptable to kidnap girls and use them as spoils in war." The girls are likely to end up as wives of Boko Haram militants.
The insurgents are fighting for Sharia law and the creation of an Islamic state in Nigeria. Since 2009, Boko Haram attacks have left at least 3,600 people dead.
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