Nigeria’s former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the killings by Boko Haram should not be justified irrespective of the religious affiliation of the victims.

Atiku said this in reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that 90 percent of Boko Haram victims are Muslims.

Recall that President  Buhari while speaking on the death of Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika local government area of Adamawa state on Monday, said in an article that the insurgents are only seeking to use religion to divide Nigerians.

According to him, the killing of the religious leader by Boko Haram was aimed at pitting Christians against Muslims.

But reacting via a tweet on Wednesday, Atiku said the killings should only be “condemned unequivocally”.

Quoting a verse of the Qur’an (chapter 2 verse 256), he said religion is about love, and not compulsion.

“We mustn’t rationalise killings. Whether Christian, Muslim, Traditionalist, or Atheist, the killing of any human being, by Boko Haram, or any misguided group, is wrong & should be condemned unequivocally. There is no compulsion in religion. Only love,” he tweeted.