"We suddenly saw them running towards the convoy, shooting again and again," says Muhammad Dalatu, remembering the recent attack on one of Nigeria's most revered Muslim leaders, the emir of Kano.
"There were about eight of them. They were not wearing masks and they looked young - between 25 and 30 years old. We got down under the seats of the bus," recalls the journalist who was in the convoy just a few vehicles behind the emir's blue classic car.
Emir Al Haji Ado Bayero survived but his driver and three bodyguards were killed, apparently valiantly shielding him from the gunmen.
"I was very scared and I couldn't sleep for two days because I was wondering what condition the emir was in," says Mr Dalatu.
His comments reflect the high regard many here have for the religious leader.
'Respect declined'
At the emir's offices near the palace in Kano, there are plenty of worried-looking faces.
For many it was unthinkable that gunmen would attack the man seen as the second most important Muslim leader in the country, after the sultan of Sokoto.
"We are shocked. They shot at him from all sides just like hunting animals in the bush," says Abbas Sanusi, the emir's senior counsel.
He says that they have no idea who might have been responsible for the attack.
The words are chosen carefully. Even though many analysts suggest this was the work of the Islamist militant group popularly known as Boko Haram, palace officials do not draw this conclusion.
It may be safer not to mention the Islamist militants at all.
However, there are some in northern Nigeria who were not surprised at the assassination attempt.
"The masses have found out that the emirs and chiefs are now stooges of the political class and this must stop," says a former military governor in north-western Nigeria, Usman Faruk.
Emir Al Haji Ado Bayero
The emir of Kano is revered in Nigeria and seen by many as above politics
He says that the budgets of these rulers are largely paid by politicians - and as a consequence traditional and religious leaders are caught up in politics and have lost their independence.
"He who pays the piper dictates the tunes," says Mr Faruk, who chairs the Northern Development Focus Initiative.
"Their respect has declined and will continue to unless they stick to their own jobs.
"The Muslim and Christian leaders should not rely on goodies given to them."http://m.bbc.com/news/world-africa-21340480

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/13/AR2011031302923.html. bokoharam kill outspoken muslim cleric

Cleric liman bana shot by bokoharam for criticizing the grouphttp://africanspotlight.com/2011/08/13/nigeria-muslim-sect-kills-cleric-in-maiduguri/

Muslim students killed in dormitory by boko haramhttp://m.aljazeera.com/story/201392910646471222

Boko haram kill 44 in konduga mosquehttp://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3744935

Muslims killed in college of agriculture gujba http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/gunmen-massacre-78-students-yobe/

Muslim students killed in yobe collegehttp://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Government_College_attack

Emir of gwoza killed by bokoharamhttp://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0EA16220140530?irpc=932

Sheikh albani zaria killed by boko haram after criticizing the grouphttp://m.aljazeera.com/story/201422114541981119

Cleric ibrahim birkuti killed by bokoharamhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13679234

Boko haram attack cleric in nafada gombehttp://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=89359

chioma134:

This is deceitful and what the muslims want us all to believe. Boko Haram targets christians and kills muslims who either stand in their way, or happen to be present at the time of their attacks e.g. bomb explosions. The children killed in the Yobe school were all christians. Muslim boys, underaged and girls were spared according to muslim laws. It's high time we stopped deceiving ourselves and others. Till today, no bomb has gone off in a mosque successfully. Oritsejafor is right on this matter. Only their muslim brethren can make them change.

[color=#006600][/color]

Great. You're absolutely correct. It's amusing some are still believing that Boko Haram does not select targets. That's a tale from the gate of hell. Boko Haram carefully attacks areas populated by Christians in their dastard acts. It's a pure religious and political agenda.

kaura5000:
Cleric liman bana shot by bokoharam for criticizing the grouphttp://africanspotlight.com/2011/08/13/nigeria-muslim-sect-kills-cleric-in-maiduguri/

Oga kaura5000...

There is a different between opposing them and there Aims...many souls as been wasted in Iraq,Pakistan,Afghanistan, North East Nigeria,Sudan,Egypt and all others country all in the name of religion..

This boko Haram issue is religion as for my own point on view ..Because they clearly stated it that what they do is a command from Allah to install Sharia all over the country.....

What happen to the city of Constantinople now Istanbul... is this not how they starter against the Christians there..now the Muslim as taken over the nation of turkey

My fellow Christian brothers it is high time we need to start praying and be helping each other because the plan of Muslims all over the world, is to dominate the world in the sharia ways...

Happy Sunday to you all!

Oritsejafor condemns attack on shehu of bornhttp://news.yahoo.com/nigerian-christians-condemn-attack-islamic-leader-150336199.html?_esi=1o

Boko haram attacks buharihttp://news.yahoo.com/nigerian-christians-condemn-attack-islamic-leader-150336199.html?_esi=1

Chukwugekwu:
one blow is enough for you. ....be careful

bring it on na

So you want muslim leaders to speak? Where were you when bokoharam was killing them like chickens for speaking against them.. I see no reason for them to speak now when bokoharam is more sophiscated than before..if they do. Bokoharam would kill them a useless death because no one to protect them

Mogidi:


Can you show a link of where Imams berated the insurgents at the beginning?
You were all cheerleaders until the hydra monster morphed into an uncontrollable killing machine, unable to distinguish muslims from Christians.

These are two links where boko haram killed Islamic Clerics who preached against their activities in 2011. One of them even called on govt and police to stop their activities.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13679234

sahelblog./2011/03/14/boko-haram-assassinates-prominent-muslim-cleric-in-maiduguri/

I`m waiting for you to give me your link(s) where Imams were supporting them.

kaura5000:
So you want muslim leaders to speak? Where were you when bokoharam was killing them like chickens for speaking against them.. I see no reason for them to speak now when bokoharam is more sophiscated than before..if they do. Bokoharam would kill them a useless death because no one to protect them

I reside in Maiduguri borno state...And it all started in my present...
You can confuse people here..but you can't confuse me
Muslim is Muslim

and only Islam is the true religion because Christianity come with civilizations..Says the cleric

OLADD:
[color=#006600][/color]
Great. You're absolutely correct. It's amusing some are still believing that Boko Haram does not select targets. That's a tale from the gate of hell. Boko Haram carefully attacks areas populated by Christians in their dastard acts. It's a pure religious and political agenda.

who told you? It seems you dont know what you are saying.. all the boys killed in yobe are muslims

OLADD:
[color=#006600][/color]
Great. You're absolutely correct. It's amusing some are still believing that Boko Haram does not select targets. That's a tale from the gate of hell. Boko Haram carefully attacks areas populated by Christians in their dastard acts. It's a pure religious and political agenda.

what of the gujba masscre, the kano bombings are they also christian areas?

tess1:


These are two links where boko haram killed Islamic Clerics who preached against their activities in 2011. One of them even called on govt and police to stop their activities.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13679234

sahelblog./2011/03/14/boko-haram-assassinates-prominent-muslim-cleric-in-maiduguri/

I`m waiting for you to give me your link(s) where Imams were supporting them.

Two cleric in 2011....For Christ sake
did you know how many Christians that was killed in a single mission lunch by book haram??

samally:

I reside in Maiduguri borno state...And it all started in my present...
You can confuse people here..but you can't confuse me
Muslim is Muslim
and only Islam is the true religion because Christianity come with civilizations..Says the cleric

says which cleric? Can you give us al link?.. I guess all those clerics killed by boko haram are practicing buddha

kaura5000:
what of the gujba masscre, the kano bombings are they also christian areas?

Mr man..those area is full of hunters and IBO's..

Yes he was dat, controversial but correct, islam contain intolerance [ hate, segregation, fallacy. 1000 religions exist - Buddhism, Hinduism, Satanism ifa, osun etc but none, nt 1 has affected human lik this. No 1 shout thy re peace yt obviously thy r peace.E.G japanese wer buddhist whn bomb by usa in war II bt yt make peace. Making clear dat thy re really of peace. nt islam christian Judaism or noise peace religions wil say thy re, bcs thy re d probs of no peace

kaura5000:
says which cleric? Can you give us al link?.. I guess all those clerics killed by boko haram are practicing buddha

How many cleric killed ?
How many pastors Killed?..
between the 2011 period

samally:

How many cleric killed ?
How many pastors Killed?..
between the 2011 period

why dont you give us link and stop spewing trash here please we need evidence stop beating around the bush

Mogidi:


Blame the USA for boko haram, flawless logic.

Did you even comprehend what i responded to before your response? Who is saying USA had a hand in Boko Haram? I only refered to the wars you mentioned in the Muslim countries u talked about.

I have given example of clerics killed by bokoharam..can you give us example where a pastor is killed.. and also we need evidence to prove your claim some imams support bokoharam

It is difficult to believe in the words spoken by Pastor Oritsejeafor. A cleric who is economical with the truth about how he came about his private jet cannot be taking seriously whenever he advices on national issues. People believe he is on one of his business trips anytime he rants.

DRealGeesam:

There is hope for Nigeria with people like you and me.
I'm elated when i read comments like yours here.
You did not just criticize, you gave a very good solution that our (insert any adjective)government has refused to follow through.

Thank you brother

Thanks for the complement bro. The solution is right there, we are not the only one who had gone through the path of terrorism, but when some folks sees it as a means to enrich themselves through defence contracts and kickbacks then the problem will linger for as long as possible.

BH raids military formations steals arms and ammunition left by fleeing soldiers and use same arms soldiers call as inferior to gain more territory and buy more patronage.

The solution is right there, sincerity and probe of all defence budget expenditures and also sincerity of government to truly fight the insurgency and not think they can use it to their political advantage because the areas occupied belongs to the opposition .

samally:


Two cleric in 2011....For Christ sake
did you know how many Christians that was killed in a single mission lunch by book haram??

Twisting have started. Do you even know the genesis of this? I can give you many just like some people have posted more.

Just give me a liink where one Islamic cleric supported their activities from the beginning then i`ll give you more.