OPERATORS of the Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) got
the jitters at the weekend, following revelations that
members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, might have concluded
arrangements to target their operations on account of alleged betrayal.
The threat by the sect to attack GSM operational bases is coming on the heels of a similar threat by militants in the Niger Delta, under the auspices of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against the GSM operators.
Members of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who are monitoring activities of the sect, are said to have resolved to focus attention on GSM operational bases and repeater stations, following information that the Boko Haram sect had resolved to also attack GSM repeater stations, just as MEND had threatened. Places under threat are said to include “Some backbone repeater stations of the GSM providers, especially those stations that are seen as providing help to security agencies which have been on the trail of and tracking some foot soldiers.”
The development is also coming on the heels of discoveries by some JTF operatives of a change in tactics by the Boko Haram, which is said to have recruited some youths who work as intermediaries between it and some influential northerners who could be sympathetic to the sect’s cause. Such liaison is to ensure the group receives funds, vehicles and other materials that could aid the jihad it is waging against the government.
Meanwhhile, in the continued bid to ensure safety of life and property, security around hotels, churches and other strategic areas remained beefed up in Abuja on Sunday.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who went round the city observed that policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers were in strategic locations to ensure orderliness.
At Sheraton and Transcorp Hilton hotels, NAN observed that some military men were deployed there to complement the internal security arrangements of the hotel managements.
At Holy Trinity Catholic Church, THISDAY Dome, St Mathew’s Anglican Church in the Maitama axis, roadblocks were mounted and vehicular movement restricted to secure the areas.
At the THISDay Dome, one of the policemen, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the idea was to ensure effective monitoring of movement of vehicles.
“As you can see, our major focus is to make sure that those who come here to worship go home safely. We are blocking the road just for safety.
“You can see that people parked outside. If we don’t block this road, there will be serious traffic here.”
At Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Mr Jonah John of the FRSC told NAN that the focus was more on free movement of people at the end of the service.
“What we are doing is part of the security work, but we focus more on ensuring that no accident occurs here.
“You can see that nobody parks inside the church compound; everybody is encouraged to park outside.”
Security was also beefed up at the Assemblies of God Church at Garki 2, as well as Dunamis Church, Mountain of Fire and Living Faith Church, all in Area 1 of the city.
At Dunamis Church, Mrs Ngozi Achuluike, a church member, said that seeing security men around the churches was a good development.
“This is one good thing that government has done. Security issue is not a child’s play; I know that God will deliver us from the current insecurity situation in the country.”
“For some time now, apart from our own internal security, I notice that every Sunday, policemen and sometimes, FRSC people are always around until we end the service.”
She commended the efforts being made by the government, and urged Nigerians to complement the efforts by being security-conscious.
It will be recalled that after the Christmas Day bombing at St Theresa’s Catholic Church Madalla, Niger State, the Federal Government started beefing up security around churches and other strategic areas.
The threat by the sect to attack GSM operational bases is coming on the heels of a similar threat by militants in the Niger Delta, under the auspices of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against the GSM operators.
Members of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who are monitoring activities of the sect, are said to have resolved to focus attention on GSM operational bases and repeater stations, following information that the Boko Haram sect had resolved to also attack GSM repeater stations, just as MEND had threatened. Places under threat are said to include “Some backbone repeater stations of the GSM providers, especially those stations that are seen as providing help to security agencies which have been on the trail of and tracking some foot soldiers.”
The development is also coming on the heels of discoveries by some JTF operatives of a change in tactics by the Boko Haram, which is said to have recruited some youths who work as intermediaries between it and some influential northerners who could be sympathetic to the sect’s cause. Such liaison is to ensure the group receives funds, vehicles and other materials that could aid the jihad it is waging against the government.
Meanwhhile, in the continued bid to ensure safety of life and property, security around hotels, churches and other strategic areas remained beefed up in Abuja on Sunday.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who went round the city observed that policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers were in strategic locations to ensure orderliness.
At Sheraton and Transcorp Hilton hotels, NAN observed that some military men were deployed there to complement the internal security arrangements of the hotel managements.
At Holy Trinity Catholic Church, THISDAY Dome, St Mathew’s Anglican Church in the Maitama axis, roadblocks were mounted and vehicular movement restricted to secure the areas.
At the THISDay Dome, one of the policemen, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the idea was to ensure effective monitoring of movement of vehicles.
“As you can see, our major focus is to make sure that those who come here to worship go home safely. We are blocking the road just for safety.
“You can see that people parked outside. If we don’t block this road, there will be serious traffic here.”
At Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Mr Jonah John of the FRSC told NAN that the focus was more on free movement of people at the end of the service.
“What we are doing is part of the security work, but we focus more on ensuring that no accident occurs here.
“You can see that nobody parks inside the church compound; everybody is encouraged to park outside.”
Security was also beefed up at the Assemblies of God Church at Garki 2, as well as Dunamis Church, Mountain of Fire and Living Faith Church, all in Area 1 of the city.
At Dunamis Church, Mrs Ngozi Achuluike, a church member, said that seeing security men around the churches was a good development.
“This is one good thing that government has done. Security issue is not a child’s play; I know that God will deliver us from the current insecurity situation in the country.”
“For some time now, apart from our own internal security, I notice that every Sunday, policemen and sometimes, FRSC people are always around until we end the service.”
She commended the efforts being made by the government, and urged Nigerians to complement the efforts by being security-conscious.
It will be recalled that after the Christmas Day bombing at St Theresa’s Catholic Church Madalla, Niger State, the Federal Government started beefing up security around churches and other strategic areas.
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