GSM Services Restored In Adamawa State

The Defence Headquarters has ordered the restoration of GSM services in Adamawa State.

It also set to subject the report of its fact-finding team on Yobe killings to analysis.

Defence Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the restoration of GSM followed consideration of various appeals and the need to ease the situation in this Ramadan season.

The statement said: “The Defence headquarters has authorised the restoration of GSM services in Adamawa State. This is sequel to positive indications in the ongoing security evaluation of the situation in the states affected by the State of Emergency.

“This development is in line with the planned phased restoration of the facility in response to the reality of the situation in the states. Accordingly, the services will be subsequently restored in the other states as soon as the evaluation indicates sufficient clearance for the release.

“This measure is also in consideration of various appeals and need to reassure the public that the measure is purely for security reasons, as well as the need to ease the situation in line with the Ramadan season.

On the fact-finding team to Yobe over the killing of 29 pupils, the statement said the outcome of the trip would be presented to the DHQ for due analysis and action of the DHQ

The statement added: “The leader of the DHQ team, Major General Obinali Ariahu, informed the governor that the team was in the state to assess the deployment of the JTF troops as well as their requirements to carry out their task in forestalling any breach of security in the state. He conveyed the sympathy and condolences of the Chief of Defence Staff to the Government and people of Yobe State on the loss of lives occasioned by the terrorist attacks on the school and other locations.

“The General informed the Governor that the Team had visited the scene of the incident at Mamudo as well as various troops’ locations in the state.

“He said the outcome of its fact-finding mission especially as it concerns the attack on the school would be presented for due analysis and action of the DHQ with a view to enhancing the capacity of the forces to prevent or respond to similar occurrences in the future.

“Continuing, the team leader expressed the appreciation of the military authorities for the understanding and support of the state to the JTF. He assured the people of the state that the forces would remain committed to discharging their duties with due efficiency.

“The team had earlier interacted with community leaders, Local Government officials, education authorities as well as teachers in Mamudo and environs to obtain necessary information. It also interviewed commanders and troops in the area.

“The DHQ Fact Finding Team has since returned to Abuja to brief the Chief of Defence Staff.

Yobe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, commended the Federal Government and the Defence Headquarters for the interest shown in the security of the state by promptly sending a high-powered Fact Finding team to the state after the weekend terrorist attack on Government Secondary School, Mamudo.

“Speaking while receiving the Defence Headquarters Fact-Finding Team in his office in Damaturu on Wednesday, the Governor noted that the gesture was the first of its kind in response to a disaster in the state.

“He also declared that the Joint Task Force deployed in the state was doing its best in addressing the security challenges.

“Continuing, the Governor remarked that the incident in Mamudo was an unfortunate and painful disaster.”

“He said such places would require extraordinary protection. He therefore called for appropriate strategies to tackle the peculiar reality of the security challenges in such localities. “