Telecoms Shutdown: Terror bandits now use Niger Republic networks to coordinate attacks, says Sokoto House member
Terror bandits have resorted to using the telecommunication network service of Niger Republic to coordinate attacks following the shutting down of telecoms services in in three Northwest Nigerian States – Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina.
Aminu Almustapha Gobir, member representing Sabon Birni North Constituency in the Sokoto House of Assembly said that because the shutdown has cut off communication between the terror bandits and their informants, the terrorists and bandits have now resorted to using the telecom service of Niger Republic which shares border with Nigeria through Sokoto.
As part of measures to check banditry, the Nigerian government had shut down telecommunication services in three States – Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina.
Gobir also confirmed that he received a threat from one of the bandits who used Nigerien network service, saying that “the bandit was threatening to lead his gang to attack me and my community.”
He also confirmed the attack on a military base in Sabo Birni Local Government Area of the Sokoto State, stating that “it is true that they attacked a military base at Dama and killed about 12 of them while many are still missing.
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“This is why I faulted the government for shutting GSM network in the Eastern part of the State without a serious military operation taking place there. The bandits are now using Nigerien network to communicate within themselves and perpetrate their heinous activities in the area.
“I expect our Governor to provide Divisional Police Officers and the military deployed to Sokoto East with Thuraya phone which could enable them to communicate within themselves and with their superior officers if they need help since there is no GSM network. This is what the Governor of Zamfara did and it’s paying off positively.”
On the attack on the military base, the Spokesperson of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major Yahaya Ngulde, could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.
But the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said he was not aware of the attack on the military base.
He did not also comment on the use of Nigerien telecoms service.
However, the Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), confirmed the attack on the military base but that he was not sure on the number of death.
On the bandits using foreign networks to coordinate attacks, he said that could be possible because of the proximity with Niger Republic.
