Abuja: Ignore Boko Haram threat

All Nigerians should ignore threats and ultimatums from Islamic militant group Boko Haram for the interest of peace, a government minister said. An ultimatum for Christians living in the Muslim north of the country given by Boko Haram expired Wednesday. The group, which seeks an Islamic state in the north, has escalated its terrorism campaign after taking responsibility for the bombing of U.N. offices in Abuja last year. Nigerian Information Minister Labaran Maku was quoted by Voice of America as saying all residents should unite to confront the "evil" of Boko Haram. "The government is determined, capable and will never leave any stone unturned to secure the unity of Nigeria against all evil groups," he said. "Nigerians will not leave (their properties to) go anywhere." Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country though critics say he wasn't taking the security threat seriously. Nigerian leaders said they believed Boko Haram was trying to create instability in the country. Though it's affiliated with al-Qaida, terrorism analysts say the group is more focused on political unrest in Nigeria. Nigerian labor unions have called for nationwide strikes to protest the end to a 38-year-old fuel subsidy that kept prices for petroleum products, including gasoline, low.