I have no links with Boko Haram – Pantami

 Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr  Isa Ibrahim Pantami has denied reports that the United States allegedly placed him on a ‘terror watch list’ for alleged ties with the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf.

The minister said, on the contrary, he had been preaching against Boko Haram for over 15 years, condemning the group’s doctrines and practices.

The Islamic scholar was alleged to have been a mentor to the founder of the militant Islamist group killed in 2009 in the North-East.

Yusuf’s death triggered a chain of violent activities, including era bombings, kidnappings and hostage-taking among others which have continuously led to massive death and destructions in the North-East till date.

Social media, especially Twitter, was awash Monday by the reports published by some news platforms.

It was however gathered that some of the leading platforms had since retracted the report and apologised in like manner to the minister.

In his reaction, the minister via his twitter handle said:  “My lectures against the doctrines and all other evil people have been available for over 15 years, including debates that endangered my life against many criminals in Nigeria.

“If you can’t understand Hausa, get an objective Hausa speaker to translate for you objectively.”

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