New Boko Haram leader vows to end attacks on Muslims, to face Christians squarely

Boko Haram Islamic extremists’ new leader has vowed to bomb churches and kill Christians while ending attacks on mosques and markets used by ordinary Muslims, according to an interview published Wednesday by Daesh.

He also says there is a Western plot to Christianize the region and has accused charities of using their aid for that.

The newspaper identified Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new “Wali,” or governor, of its so-called West Africa Province. The “Wali” title was previously used to describe long-time Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.

The interview with al-Barnawi indicates a major shift in strategy for the Nigerian extremists, who have killed many more Muslims than Christians in attacks in mosques with suicide bombers and gunmen.