Unfortunately it’s Nigeria’s Christians who will bear the brunt of the bloodshed.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AFP) — A purported spokesman for a Nigerian Islamist sect blamed for scores of attacks, including last month’s bombing of UN headquarters, has rejected a proposal to negotiate with the government.

A spokesman for Boko Haram told journalists in a conference call late Tuesday in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, where the sect has carried out most of its attacks, that the group would push ahead with its violent campaign.

“We are not going to enter into any dialogue with the government as the Galtimari committee has recommended,” Abul Qaqa said, referring to a panel appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan that this week urged negotiations.

“We do not recognise the Galtimari committee and, as far as we are concerned, its recommendations are of no effect.”

He added: “We still maintain our cause of ensuring strict implementation of Islamic law in Nigeria and waging war against infidels.”

A man identifying himself by the same name has claimed to speak on behalf of the sect on several occasions, but Boko Haram is believed to have a number of factions and several others have said they are spokesmen as well.

Some two months ago, Jonathan set up a seven-person fact-finding committee headed by ex-diplomat Usman Galtimari to seek ways to end violence in the country’s northeast.