JTF Bans Use Of Satellite Phones In Borno,Yobe,Adamawa

 

THE Joint Task Force on ‘Operation Restore Order’ in Borno State, has declared ban on the use of Thuraya phones in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, warning that anyone seen with a Thuraya phone would be considered an enemy of the state and sponsor of Boko Haram members. The declaration by the JTF came barely 24 hours after suspected Boko Haram insurgents carried out multiple attacks in four different areas of Borno State, killing 10 fish sellers, three tea vendors and nine students writing the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. It will be recalled that this came in less than 48 hours after a similar incident in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, in which another set of insurgents attacked a secondary school and killed nine persons, while two of the attackers were also killed in a gun duel with security forces. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the latest wave of violence in the state may have dealt a blow on the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by the residents since the declaration of the emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan over a month ago. “The first incident occurred when 10 men, armed with assault rifles, who were reportedly on a revenge mission, raided the Alau dam, outskirts of Maiduguri, the capital city and fired sporadic shots at the direction of some youths who came from Maiduguri to buy fresh fishes and tea vendors, killing 13 persons on the spot, leaving several others wounded. “Over 13 persons were also killed in Hausari Ward by the suspected terrorists for engaging in the capture of the fleeing gunmen, just two weeks ago. Those killed comprised of some youths living in Gwange, Bulumkutu and Hausari wards, where the massive manhunt for the insurgents emanated,” an informed source noted. It was further gathered that the assailants, who were said to be on a revenge mission, had purposely launched the attack to visit their anger on the victims for their alleged involvement in the activities of the youth vigilance group, popularly known as ‘civilian JTF,’ which engaged in the massive hunt of the fleeing insurgents. The gunmen reportedly drove in three Volkswagen Golf cars and trailed their victims to the area, disguising as customers, before firing at them, causing serious pandemonium, with everyone scampering for safety. It was gathered that when the gunmen stormed the area, they blocked all entry and exit routes, firing sporadic shots into the air and said to the victims, “you are the ones exposing our colleagues to security agencies; today, your days are over, as we will kill all of you,” a witness, who pleaded anonymity, claimed. A resident of Gwange and a nieghbour to one of the slain victims, Mallam Mohammed Musa, confirmed the incident to newsmen saying: “Yes one of my neighbours, popularly called Garus Maikifi, was among the 13 people killed by suspected Boko Haram members.” Nigerian Tribune also gathered that similar incidents had been reported in Ansarudden Pimary/Secondary School in Jajeri Ward, where gunmen walked to the examination hall, where candidates were busy writing the examination, shot and killed two students. It was also gathered that the state and Federal Low Cost Housing Estate had suffered same attacks, leading to the death of seven more students. Medical personnel at the Borno State Specialist Hospital, who also pleaded anonymity, confirmed to newsmen that corpses of the slain nine students were deposited at the morgue of the hospital. Spokesman for the JTF, Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune, said the attention of the JTF had been drawn to the use of Thuraya phones by the Boko Haram terrorists to coordinate their recent assassination of civilians, especially students and some Imams. Musa said: “Therefore, effective from June 19, the JTF impose a ban on the use and sale of Thuraya phones and accessories, including Thuraya recharge cards in Borno State, as anyone seen with Thuraya phones, recharge cards and accessories will be arrested.”