The
fundamentalist group, Boko Haram (Western education is a sin), appears
to have changed tactics in its relentless insurgency. It now targets
telecommunications operations. Masts belonging to major telecoms companies were yesterday attacked by gunmen, who are suspected to be members of the group.
Besides, there were explosions in five cities in the North – Bauchi, Maiduguri, Damaturu, Potiskum and Kano.
Some traders were killed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where the office of telecoms giant MTN was set on fire. The torching of the MTN office came a week after the Joint Task Force (JTF) raided the Dala Ward home of a suspected key commander of the sect and recovered 54 assorted SIM cards, in addition to arms and ammunition.
The MTN Regional Office in West- End on Baga Road and nine telecommunications masts belonging to various companies were attacked. Early in the year, Boko Haram had issued a statement threatening the telecommunication industry. The MTN office was set ablaze at about 2am. The office houses all the communication facilities of the frontline GSM operators in the country. Also set ablaze yesterday are the telecommunication masts in Dala, Bulunkutu, Bayan Quarters, Gwange, Sulimanti, Bolori, Adam Kolo and Bulabulin wards of the metropolis.
An eye witness said the Bulumkutu mast was burnt down by some armed youths at about 8pm on Tuesday. Those killed were said to be traders. JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa confirmed the burning of the MTN office and some masts in Maiduguri, but denied any killing.
Lt.-Col. Sagir said: “I can only confirm to you that some telecommunication masts and MTN Regional office were set ablaze by suspected Boko Haram men, but I am not aware of any killing in Gwange. Please, give me time; as soon as I get details, I will communicate to you.”
In Kano, the gunmen attacked MTN masts and Airtel installations in Sharada and Hotoro. Security operatives immediately deployed their men in the area. Security was strengthened around the facilities spread across the city. Sources said the attack was carried out by men on motorbikes, who stormed the two locations early yesterday.
According to the police, the damage to the installations is minimal. Security personnel have been deployed in all installations of service providers to tighten security in and around their facilities.
Security operatives held meetings yesterday at their Giginyu headquarters with operators, apparently on the development and on how best to handle the situation.
It was gathered from sources that the terror gang had threatened to attack service providers over their alleged role in the successful attack on their members by security agents. Police spokesman ASP Magaji Musa Majia declined comments. He said only Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris was competent to speak on the matter.
An explosion at the base of a telecom mast on Tuesday night in Bauchi metropolis injured one person. An unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was defused by the Anti-Bomb squad of the police.
Police spokesman Hassan Mohammed Auyo confirmed the incident but did not give details.
A senior security operatives told our correspondent: “As far as we are concerned, the incident was a failed attempt because we had information about the plan by hoodlums to attack some places. And we have taken good measures by deploying a combined team of armed soldiers, police and other security personnel to guard every identified flashpoint to ensure they do not get the chance to attack any target.
“A security man who was guarding the place was on the alert and the mast building was intact, except the metal door to the facility that slightly injured the security guard. He was treated and discharged, it was learnt.
Masts were attacked in Yobe state’s main cities - Damaturu the state capital and Potiskom, the commercial city. Sporadic gundshots were heard in the cities as service of Airtel were disrupted.
Source: The Nation
Besides, there were explosions in five cities in the North – Bauchi, Maiduguri, Damaturu, Potiskum and Kano.
Some traders were killed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where the office of telecoms giant MTN was set on fire. The torching of the MTN office came a week after the Joint Task Force (JTF) raided the Dala Ward home of a suspected key commander of the sect and recovered 54 assorted SIM cards, in addition to arms and ammunition.
The MTN Regional Office in West- End on Baga Road and nine telecommunications masts belonging to various companies were attacked. Early in the year, Boko Haram had issued a statement threatening the telecommunication industry. The MTN office was set ablaze at about 2am. The office houses all the communication facilities of the frontline GSM operators in the country. Also set ablaze yesterday are the telecommunication masts in Dala, Bulunkutu, Bayan Quarters, Gwange, Sulimanti, Bolori, Adam Kolo and Bulabulin wards of the metropolis.
An eye witness said the Bulumkutu mast was burnt down by some armed youths at about 8pm on Tuesday. Those killed were said to be traders. JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa confirmed the burning of the MTN office and some masts in Maiduguri, but denied any killing.
Lt.-Col. Sagir said: “I can only confirm to you that some telecommunication masts and MTN Regional office were set ablaze by suspected Boko Haram men, but I am not aware of any killing in Gwange. Please, give me time; as soon as I get details, I will communicate to you.”
In Kano, the gunmen attacked MTN masts and Airtel installations in Sharada and Hotoro. Security operatives immediately deployed their men in the area. Security was strengthened around the facilities spread across the city. Sources said the attack was carried out by men on motorbikes, who stormed the two locations early yesterday.
According to the police, the damage to the installations is minimal. Security personnel have been deployed in all installations of service providers to tighten security in and around their facilities.
Security operatives held meetings yesterday at their Giginyu headquarters with operators, apparently on the development and on how best to handle the situation.
It was gathered from sources that the terror gang had threatened to attack service providers over their alleged role in the successful attack on their members by security agents. Police spokesman ASP Magaji Musa Majia declined comments. He said only Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris was competent to speak on the matter.
An explosion at the base of a telecom mast on Tuesday night in Bauchi metropolis injured one person. An unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was defused by the Anti-Bomb squad of the police.
Police spokesman Hassan Mohammed Auyo confirmed the incident but did not give details.
A senior security operatives told our correspondent: “As far as we are concerned, the incident was a failed attempt because we had information about the plan by hoodlums to attack some places. And we have taken good measures by deploying a combined team of armed soldiers, police and other security personnel to guard every identified flashpoint to ensure they do not get the chance to attack any target.
“A security man who was guarding the place was on the alert and the mast building was intact, except the metal door to the facility that slightly injured the security guard. He was treated and discharged, it was learnt.
Masts were attacked in Yobe state’s main cities - Damaturu the state capital and Potiskom, the commercial city. Sporadic gundshots were heard in the cities as service of Airtel were disrupted.
Source: The Nation
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