The governor of Yobe state Ibrahim Gaidam has called for the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and other security operatives to restore mobile communications to the state.
HumanIPO reported in May the Nigerian government had confirmed it disconnected phone lines in the northern states where it declared state of emergency rule due to the activities of militant Islamic group Boko Haram.
Gaidam made the plea while hosting Nigeria’s chief of defence staff Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim in Damaturu, capital city of Yobe state.
According to the governor, residents of the state are willing to help the security operatives with information, but they cannot do so without GSM communications. He then urged security operatives to modify their mode of operations in the fight against insurgents in the state and other parts of Nigeria.
Admiral Ibrahim’s representative, chief of research and development at the Defence Headquarters Major General Ariahu, said he was in the state to commiserate with the government and people of Yobe state over the recent attack on students of GSS Mamudo by unknown gunmen. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 students and one teacher.
Concerning the discomfort being felt by residents of the state as a result of the operations of the security forces in the area, he said those affected should rest assured that the officers are committed to ensuring an end is brought to the security challenges that Nigeria is currently contending with.
HumanIPO reported last month residents of areas affected by state of emergency were suing the government, four network operators and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for infringement of their right to communicate.
