Gunmen suspected to be members of the terrorist group Boko Haram attacked some telecom infrastructure and offices in Gwange ward, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital earlier this morning. Four are feared dead.
The assailants also set ablaze a telecom company’s offices and destroyed nine telecommunication masts belonging to other telecom companies in Dala, Bulunkutu, Bayan Quarters, Gwange, Sulimanti, Bolori, Adam Kolo and Bulabulin wards of the metropolis, giving the impression that it was planned.
It would be recalled that early this year, an Islamic sect issued a statement threatening that some telecommunication companies would be attacked.
Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing telecom markets in the world, with major players such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and Etisalat. The rapid growth recorded in the telecom sector is unparalleled in the country, placing the sector well above others in terms of performance and positive impact on the massive population.
The attack came one week after operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) raided the house of a suspected key member of an Islamic sect where they recovered 54 assorted GSM SIM cards and a cache of arms in Dala ward of Maiduguri metropolis,
JTF Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, confirmed the attacks.
He however stated that nobody was killed.
"I can only confirm to you that some telecommunication masts and MTN regional office were set ablaze by suspected Boko Haram sect, but I am not aware of any killing in Gwange,” he said.
