JTF bans Thuraya handsets, recharge cards in Borno

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 Boko Haram targets vigilante youth in Borno, Yobe

IN order to enhance its operational efficiency and precision by weakening the capacity of the insurgents to coordinate effectively, the military Joint Task Force (JTF), under its Special Operation Forces in Borno State, has banned the sale and use of Thuraya handsets in the area.

Also banned are recharge cards and accessories, as Boko Haram terrorists in Borno and Yobe states used such communication devices to coordinate their activities, killing 33 and attacking the Government Secondary School, Damaturu, and Innovative Secondary School, Maiduguri last weekend and on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Boko Haram in both states on Tuesday declared "war" on members of the Vigilance Youths Group, who identified, arrested and handed over about 75 suspected terrorists to the JTF in Maiduguri.

The security volunteer youths, according to Boko Haram's spokesman, Abu Zinnira, were exposing their hideouts to security agencies, which led to the recent killing of many terrorists in Maiduguri, Bama and Gwoza.

The declaration against the vigilance youths was contained in Zinnira's e-mailed statement, which was made available to newsmen in Maiduguri yesterday. According to the statement, the sect has already decided to also launch a manhunt for their hunters, who go by the name "Civilian JTF" in Borno and Yobe.

The ban, according to JTF sources, took effect from Wednesday, as the Special Operation Forces would be combing the Maiduguri metropolis and the Sambisa Games Reserves Forests (SGRF) for the fleeing terrorists, who renewed attacks and killings at the weekend.

JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, warned in a statement that, "anyone seen with Thuraya phones, recharge cards or accessories will be arrested." However, he appealed to the general public for continued "cooperation and understanding" over the ban in order to "enhance the security of lives and property in Borno State"

He noted: "The attention of the JTF has been drawn to the use of Thuraya phones by Boko Haram terrorists to coordinate their recent assassination of civilians, especially school children and some imams. Therefore, effective from June 19, 2013, the JTF imposes a ban on the use and sale of Thuraya phones and accessories, including its recharge cards, in Borno State. Anyone seen with Thuraya phones, recharge cards and accessories will be arrested."

It was also leant that the Military Special Operation Forces shut down four GSM operators - MTN, Globacom, Etisalat and Airtel - last Thursday and "destroyed and reclaimed" the Boko Haram training camps and hideouts at Kerinoa and Borno forests.

The Boko Haram statement read in part: "We have established that youths in Borno and Yobe states are now against the course of Boko Haram Islamist sect. They have collectively connived with security operatives and are actively supporting government of Nigeria in its war against us. We have also resolved to fight back, no matter where they live in these affected states."

However, some of the youths told The Guardian yesterday that they would fight the terrorists in Maiduguri, adding that the volunteer youths were not "deterred or frightened" from achieving their mission, and that there would be no going back on the course they had started to restore peace and unity in the two affected states.



The Guardian

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