Maiduguri — The Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, yesterday claimed responsibility for the massive attacks on telecommunication facilities in Borno, Yobe, Kano and Bauchi.
The group said the attacks on communication facilities will continue unabated because such companies are assisting the federal government and security agencies in tracking and arresting members of the group in many parts of the country.
The group said with the connivance of such companies, many of its members have been incarcerated in various prisons.
A statement written in Hausa and signed by Abul-Qaqa equally threatened attacks on the facilities of the Voice of America (VOA) as well as its correspondents and staff.
Our correspondent reports that more than 20 telecommunication masts of MTN, Airtel, Etilsalat and Glo have been set ablaze in Maiduguri and Bama in Borno State as well as Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State on Tuesday.
The development hampered communication and affected business transactions in the affected place while many employees of the telecommunication companies have fled.
"Our ultimate goal is the establishment of an Islamic State in Nigeria and we would not hesitate in taking punitive measures against anybody who sabotage or assist others that are sabotaging our efforts," Qaqa said.
"This is why we are fighting the Nigerian government and its collaborators, including telecommunication companies. We would continue attacking them (telecoms) until the time they stopped releasing information about our activities.
"We have also established that through its various programmes, the VOA has launched a campaign of calumny against Islam. We have resolved to fight back by tracking and killing its employees. Any employee of the VOA that wants to remain alive must quit.
Comments Post a comment
YOU HAVE NO REASON TO DESTROY WHAT THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA IS TRYING TO BUILD..IF YOU DO THE POSITIVE THING FOR NIGERIA YOU WOULD PITCH IN AND HELP TO BUILD NIGERIA RATHER THAN DESTROY NIGERIA..
These attacks represent a serious threat to the federal government’s control over the country. It is obvious to me that Boko Haram’s attacks are really intended to intimidate ordinary Nigerians. Innocent civilians can now appreciate the group’s presence and influence over every day life in Nigeria. Because of the group’s stated objectives I do not believe that there can be any negotiated resolution of the conflict. It should be obvious to the country’s leaders that Boko Haram will not be content with annexing the northern part of the country. The government must dedicate the reasons and personnel to deal decisively with the terrorist group.
A military solution is an option if it will bring lasting peace to the country. Given that President Jonathan has admitted that Boko Haram has infiltrated his government, and given the fact that the organisation seems to have the tacit support of important figures in the North, I think a negotiated settlement is the way forward provided there are people on Boko Haraam's side willing to show their faces. We cannot dialogue with an invisible or masked being.Only a visible human being will come to the round table to explain their grievances and possible solutions. If this condition is sadtisfied, then there should be a cease fire to allow peace negotiations to take place.
EXTREME INSANITY!!! WHEN WILL THIS STOP? HOW CAN A BUNDLE OF NONENTITIES HOLD A COUNTRY LIKE NIGERIA HOSTAGE. DOES IT MEAN THAT THE BOKO HARAM GROUP OUTSMARTS NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT WITH ITS SECURITY AGENCIES? VERY DESPICABLE AND EMBARRASSING. IT IS CLEAR THAT NIGERIA IS ON THE VERGE OF DISINTEGRATION, ITS UNFORTUNATE.
This exudes the danger of leaving the fate of Nigeria to any northern leader in future. Nigeria and nigerians must rise up to stop any northerner from becoming the head of State from now on. Allowing them in again is allowing Boko Haram into the headship of such a diverse nation. The north has contributed nothing to the progress of this country except wantom destruction of lives and property, right way back to the events that led up to the 1967/70 civil war, the war itself, their military profligacy for over thirty years afterwards and today's Boko Haram insanity!!! A bunch of hopeless fanatics they are!