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Nigerian al Qaeda turns on mobile phone towers
More than two dozen mobile phone towers for various providers have been destroyed in cities across northern Nigeria this week, marking a new type of attack from a group that has become notorious for deadly gun and bomb assaults.
More than two dozen mobile phone towers for various providers have been destroyed in cities across northern Nigeria this week, marking a new type of attack from a group that has become notorious for deadly gun and bomb assaults.
Boko Haram, an outfit affiliated to the al Qaeda, claimed the attacks on cell phone towers on Thursday, alleging telecom providers had assisted authorities in investigating the group.
It also threatened journalists for Voice of America radio, which operates a Hausa-language service listened to throughout Nigeria’s north.
The threat follows a recent VOA report quoting a supposed Boko Haram spokesman saying dialogue was currently underway with the government.
Boko Haram has previously threatened journalists it accused of misrepresenting it and bombed the Abuja offices of one of the country’s most prominent newspapers in April.
The group is accused of killing more than 1,400 people since 2010 in its insurgency. It has demanded the creation of an Islamic state in Nigeria.
