Northern Nigeria’s terrorist group, Boko Haram may have carried their religious war too far as they have threatened to attack Schools, markets, churches and also slit the throats of Christians until they turn to Islam, THE INK gathered.
An sms sent to this reporter in the early working hours of Thursday last week and endorsed by a certain Ibrahim Bashir who described himself as the commander of Boko Haram indicates that the group are in Akwa Ibom State. The text message which was written in all capital letters and sent from the number, +2348137671086 read, “ JAMA ATUAHLIS SUNN ALIDDA WATI WAL_JIHAD. WE WILL ATTACK YOUR CHURCH WE WILL ATTACK YOUR SCHOOL WE WILL ATTACT YOUR MARKET UNLESS YOU ACCEPT ISLAM WE WILL SLIT YOUR THROAT WE ARE WITH YOU IN AKWA IBOM STATE FROM IBRAHIM BASHIR COMMANDER BOKO HARAM.
Efforts to communicate with the number failed flat as the number was switched off since the sms was sent last Thursday morning.
When our reporter informed the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson of the sms, he insisted that the text be forwarded to him and also the Department of State Services, DSS for appropriate action. A request this reporter obliged with the Akwa Ibom Police Spokesman assuring that the security agencies are on top of the situation.The Department of State Services also acknowledged working on the information. The state Director Mr. Minti in an sms to this reporter after this reporter had forwarded the alleged BOKO HARAM text message to his phone said, Msg acknowledged pls. Already working on the intell.
This may not be the first time the terrorist group will attempt their excesses in Akwa Ibom State. It could be recalled that sometimes ago, following a tip off, security agencies had aligned together to screen some persons suspected to be aliens and who couldn’t defend themselves. The screening exercise was done at the Uyo Sports Stadium. Although at the end of the exercise, security never informed again on whether any of the suspects were confirmed as BOKO HARAM elements. But Etim Dickson while speaking on the screening on the suspects said those who could not defend themselves or show proof of their residences in the state were moved to immigrations for onward transfer to their climes of origin.
The renewed threat by this group in the state has seriously forced churches, schools and some other public institutions to gather more security strengths and beef up security around their properties. Although some other persons have dismissed the BOKO HARAM threat as empty, a top security notch who spoke to this reporter said an sms like that could not have been cooked up by anybody to wipe sentiments. He however called on the people to be vigilante and report all suspected movements to the relevant security agencies. Our source who is a retired military personnel said, it will be better if all hands will be on deck to fight the group to a halt if it ever attempts to rear its head in Akwa Ibom.
The state commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah while interacting with this reporter requested to get the text to compare with the one he had on his phone. This reporter however obliged and he maintained that the relevant security agencies are doing their beats to weed out all security challenges in the state. For now, there is panic in the state as security measures are being stepped up by individuals especially when one considers the havoc that has been created by the sect in Northern Nigeria.
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