₦airaland Forum

The Joint Task Force, JTF, on Wednesday banned, indefinitely, the use of thuraya phones in all states under emergency rule.

Thuraya phones are based on satellite technology and do not rely on any of the existing GSM networks in Nigerian to function.

The Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, have reportedly resorted to using thuraya phones to coordinate attacks since mobile communication was largely suspended by the military.

The ban on thuraya may worsen the communication challenges being faced by residents in the affected states as GSM networks have been largely shut for about five weeks since the emergency rule declaration.

The Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Sagir Musa, said in a statement made available to journalists that the ban on thuraya became necessary as military intelligence revealed that terrorists now coordinate their attacks using the device.

The JTF said recent attacks on schools and killing of students by Boko Haram were carried out using thuraya devices.

“The attention of the JTF has been drawn to the use of Thuraya phones by Boko Haram Terrorists to coordinate their recent assassination of civilians especially schools and some Imams”.

“Therefore, with effect from 19 June, 2013, the JTF impose ban on the use and sale of Thuraya phones and accessories including Thuraya recharge cards in Borno States, Anyone seen with Thuraya phones, recharge cards and accessories will be arrested.

“The JTF seeks for the continued cooperation and understanding of the public on this ban in order to enhance security of lives and property in Borno State,” the statement read.

The electoral body demanded copies of the association’s constitution and manifesto.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has responded to the request by the All Progressive Congress, APC, for registration as a party and demanded relevant documents to back the claims made in its application.

APC, which is the merger of some opposition parties, had on June 5 applied to the electoral body seeking to be registered as a political party.

The merging parties as presented to the electoral body are the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

Other opposition parties in the merger are the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

The application was signed by the National Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers of ACN, ANPP and CPC as the other two did not hold special conventions to authorise their dissolution into the the APC.

In a letter dated June 12 and signed by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, the Commission asked APC to forward 35 copies of its constitution and manifesto to it. It also demanded an affidavit in support of its claim in Form PA 1.

The letter addressed to the national secretariat of the association at 6, Bissau Street, Wuse and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES reads, “Re” Request for Merger of the ACN, ANPP and CPC.

“Please, refer to your letter dated June 5, 2013, and find forwarded herewith 35 copies of the Commission prescribed Form A1 for your completion and return to the Commission.

“You are therefore requested to submit the under-listed documents –
1. 35 copies of proposed constitution
2. 35 copies of proposed manifesto
3. Affidavit in support for the claim in Form PA 1;

“You may note that the Commission shall verify the proposed headquarters address and claims in the Form PA 1.

“Kindly revert to enable the Commission commence the process of your request.”

It is not clear whether the association has responded to INEC’s demands.