Bandits Now Using Niger Republic’s Network Service To Coordinate Attacks In Nigeria

Bandits are reportedly now using the network service of Niger Republic to coordinate attacks in Nigeria

A member of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Almustapha Gobir has revealed that bandits are now using the network service of Niger Republic to coordinate attacks in Nigeria.

Gobir, a member representing Sabon Birni North Constituency in the Sokoto House of Assembly, disclosed this while speaking with Daily Trust over the weekend.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigerian government had shut down telecommunication services in three states – Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina – as part of measures to check banditry.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Gobir said the bandits have now resorted to using the telecom service of Niger Republic which shares border with Nigeria through Sokoto.

Gobir said one of the bandits, who are using the Nigerien network service, sent him a message threatening him over the development which has cut off communication between them and their informants.

“The bandit was threatening to lead his gang to attack me and my community,” the lawmaker said.

The lawmaker also confirmed that bandits killed 12 Nigerian soldiers during an attack on a military base in Sabo Birni Local Government area of the state.

“It is true that they attacked a military base at Dama and killed about 12 of them while many are still missing.”

“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,” he said.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), confirmed the attack on the military base but said he was not sure on the number of death.

Moyi, who also spoke on the bandits using foreign networks to coordinate attacks, said that could be possible because of the proximity with Niger Republic.

KanyiDaily had reported how the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), ordered all telecom operators to shut down their networks for two weeks in Zamfara State.