http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/43194-boko-haram-spokesman-abu-qaqa-ii-feared-killed.html

A pall of uncertainty is surrounding the
whereabouts of the spokesman of the Islamic
sect, Boko Haram, Abu Qaqa II, following
fears yesterday that he might have been
killed last week.
Details of the circumstances of his death
were hazy last night although security
sources claimed he was a victim of growing
divisive tendencies in the group which has
carried out gun and bomb attacks in
different parts of the North for the third year
running.
Abu Qaqa II is the pseudo name of
Mohammed Anwal Kontagora and he took
over from Abu Qaqa 1 who is also known as
Abu Dardaa, Mohammed Shuaibu,
Mohammed Bello, Abu Tiamiya and
Abdulrahman Abdullahi.
Abu Qaqa1 was arrested in Kaduna in
February, one of the high profile members of
the sect in security custody.
The motive for the killing of Abu Qaqa II was
unknown at press time.
Abu Qaqa 1’s father was killed on March 26
in Maiduguri by suspected members of Boko
Haram allegedly on the strength of the
confessions he (Qaqa) made to interrogators
about the operations of the group.
The sect denied his arrest and said the
person in security custody is Abu Dardaa.
Security sources said the alleged death of
Abu Qaqa II was the prime reason for the
Thursday posting of the video message on
You Tube by Abubakar Shekau, the fugitive
Boko Haram leader.
In the video recording, Shekau said the
government of President Goodluck Jonathan
should forget about dismantling Boko Haram
as it (government) had boasted.
However, security sources said
yesterday:"The self-styled spokesman of the
Boko Haram sect "Abu Qaqa" -II, may have
been killed last week. He was said to have
tried to denounce the sect after intensive
trailing by security agencies that saw him
changing locations severally.
"Abu Qaqa -II whose real name is
Mohammed Anwal Kontagora was from
Kontagora in Niger State. He took the name
Abu Qaqa in February this year after the
original Abu Qaqa, 42, also known as Abu
Dardaa, Mohammed Shuaibu, Mohammed
Bello, Abu Tiamiya and Abdulrahman
Abdullahi was arrested January this year.
"Kontagora, like his predecessor, is non-
Kanuri, so his case as applicable to every
non-Kanuri was decided summarily. The sect
is said to be shopping for Abu Qaqa -III as
its new spokesman. This greatly accounted
for its inability to either own up or dissociate
itself from the Easter Sunday bomb blast in
Kaduna that killed so many commercial
motorcyclists and tea vendors.
"This again could have forced Imam
Abubakar Shekau to personally appear on a
YouTube network to reply to a statement
credited to President Goodluck."
But another source added: "I think it is safe
to assume that Boko Haram might be
changing its media strategy. Going by the
modus operandi of Boko Haram, it is not out
of place for Imam Shekau to deliver a
message. The Imam has been speaking with
journalists on the phone in Maiduguri and
he has relayed messages previously on
YouTube."
Notwithstanding the situation within the sect,
all military formations, security agencies
and paramilitary bodies have been directed
to mount 24-hour surveillance on possible
hide-outs of Boko Haram members.
Meanwhile, Vice President Namadi Sambo
has said incessant bombings, attacks and
killings by Boko Haram will soon become
history.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with
Nigerians in Washington DC, United States of
America, he said, "I will like to correct one
impression. This issue that Christians are
moving from the north and the Muslims are
leaving the south is wrong; I beg to disagree
with that notion, because it is not
happening"
He added that the security challenges in the
northern part of the country was an
unfortunate problem being created by some
hoodlums, people that have terrorist
activities in their mind.
He described as false information that
Christians were leaving the North based on
the attacks of Boko Haram, or that Muslims
were leaving the South.
According to Sambo, "The support of all
Nigerians, particularly the religious leaders
is being sought, so that we will all cooperate
and direct Nigerians in the right directions.
Our religious leaders will contribute
positively to our peaceful coexistence."
On the issue of Nigerians voting from the
Diaspora, the vice president said the bill is
currently before the National Assembly, and
that once the bill is passed, the president will
sign it into law, and Nigerians abroad will
be able to vote.