Starlink may soon be under investigation over terrorism in Nigeria. This is as members of a terrorist group, Boko Haram have been caught using the satellite internet constellation.
This discovery was made by Nigerian troops during a successful operation that led to the killing of a top Boko Haram commander, Tahir Baga, and the recovery of various weapons and digital devices, including Starlink Wi-Fi systems and mobile phones.
According to counter-insurgency expert and security analyst Zagazola Makama, the Nigerian troops under “Operation Hadin Kai” seized the items after the terrorists fled, unable to withstand the military’s firepower.
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The use of Starlink, a cutting-edge and costly technology, by the terrorist group has raised concerns about their increasing sophistication and access to advanced resources.
The terrorist group was said to have fled and abandoned the items when they could no longer withstand the firepower of the Nigerian troops.
Reactions
The news has sparked widespread reactions from Nigerians on social media, with many expressing shock and concern over the implications of this development.
Some users questioned how the terrorists acquired the Starlink devices, while others called for a thorough investigation into the supply chain and potential accomplices.
“If properly investigated, you might be shocked the supplier is on this app,” tweeted @Bin_DaudNG, highlighting the need for a comprehensive probe.
Others emphasized the importance of tracing the purchase and tracking down the individuals involved, suggesting that the Nigerian Intelligence Service (NIS) should scrutinize suspicious activities related to the acquisition of solar panels, batteries, and other equipment in areas like Oshodi and Maiduguri.
Here are other reactions below;
One user with the username @carliid said; “There is usually a payment card used to subscribe to this Starlink. It can be traced to a person whose account is attached to this. They need to be tracked fast before these tweets go far”
@SultanLuqman“Now if a civilian would know this, you wonder why DMI won’t and act on it PRIOR to even releasing this news so that the news would have come with the arrest of the source of the Starlink. Perhaps, as some suspect, the GAME is the GAME…”
@This_is_Obyno,“The game is the game, my bro They’re sponsored by the government $SHC
@charlesbams opined that; “…and the suppose people that ought to track them are the same people doing the kidnapping business”
@ochumgbada; “Nonsense tracking, normally without any starlink whatsoever their big men are the sponsors (attack on bandits is an attack to the north) “lubbish”
@bayo_q “Shame on you @bosuntijani Shame on you @ProfIsaPantami With all ur Dr and Prof, you couldn’t develop a technology to track terrorists, yet a terrorist without a Dr or Prof is using the same technology to terrorise citizens @NITDANigeria @HQNigerianArmy @officialABA”
Another user, @Abba_Talba said “Starlink usage should be regulated, if not the west would plunge Nigeria into a Pariah That has always being their wish”
@Bin_DaudNG “If properly investigated, you might be shocked the supplier is on this app”
@oyebosunday Starlink wey many city people no fit afford. Call them ragtag at your own peril. May God keep strengthening the @HQNigerianArmy
More
During the operation, the Nigerian troops were able to eliminate Tahir Baga, a top commander of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, better known as Boko Haram, during an offensive operation in the Sambisa Forest.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Desert Sanity III,” targeted several terrorist enclaves deep within the forest, including Shababul Umma, Garin Panel Beater, and Lagara Anguwan Gwaigwai.
According to intelligence sources cited by counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, the troops made contact with the terrorists during the offensive, resulting in the neutralization of Tahir Baga and some of his lieutenants, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.
Tahir Baga was a close ally to Abubakar Shekau. He was among the first sets who founded the Boko Haram movement in Maiduguri before moving into Sambisa Forest with the likes of Mamman Nur, Khalid Albarnawi, Abubakar Shekau, Kaka Ali, Mustapha Chad, Abu Maryam, and Abu Krimima,” Makama stated in a report on Tuesday via X
Baga, a revered Imam within the sect, was known for his unwavering commitment to the group’s ideology.
He had on several occasions truncated the efforts of many fighters and their families to surrender and has also pushed many underage girls to go on suicide bombing after convincing them that they would be granted paradise as an everlasting reward, Makama added.
Accordingly, the elimination of Tahir Baga is considered a significant blow to the Boko Haram terrorist group, as he played a crucial role in sustaining the group’s operations and indoctrinating its members.
