Boko Haram turns attention on Telecomunication

The attack strategy of the Islamic sect might be taking a new dimension as Some "base stations belonging to MTN, Globacom, Airtel were Yesterday attacked by the violent Islamic sect "Boko Haram" The Three network might have been affected in the multiple attacks that jolted Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Gombe states.

Experts, who described the attacks as detrimental to telecoms growth in the country, said they were suggestive of willful damage by unscrupulous elements.

As a result, the quality of service in the affected states has taken a downturn as interconnection of telecoms infrastructure has become severely limited.


Reuters further reported that one of its reporters saw 10 masts burnt to the ground in Maiduguri on Wednesday morning and local residents complained there was no mobile telephone reception.

In Kano, men on motorbikes reportedly destroyed MTN and Airtel mobile phone masts in the early hours of Wednesday, a policeman told Reuters, asking not to be named.

He said the Boko Haram sect was suspected to be behind the attack.

The Islamic sect had reportedly threatened recently to cause immense damage to telecoms operators’ facilities for allegedly providing information that had helped securities agencies tracked its members.

Analysts said the Wednesday attacks might be connected to the threat by the suspected terrorists.

Reuters also reported that sources close to the sect said Boko Haram members had in the past been concerned that they might be traced through mobile phones.  Punch