By PROF. MICHAEL OGUEKE
Last year, after extensive research into Boko Haram’s activities & online presence by experts including Bulama Burkati, it was discovered how Boko Haram uses highly encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp & Telegram to communicate and coordinate.
In addition, ISWAP uses such apps to communicate with ISIS. For instance, when ISWAP launches an attack, it uses Telegram to send pictures and videos to ISIS. ISIS would edit the material, put ISWAP logo, subtitle (where relevant), etc, and release it through its channels.
Similarly, Boko Haram uses Telegram and WhatsApp to send photos and clips of its attack and execution to its contacts who then post/tweet them and give them to media outlets. They also use the platforms to communicate with fighters and coordinate activities including attacks.
It was therefore agreed that since most messaging apps require a mobile number to subscribe or register, if ownership of lines is restricted, it will seriously undermine Boko Haram’s ability to exploit technology, and hamper the effectiveness of the terrorists.
In the light of this discovery, the minister of communication Pantami – early last year, 2020 came up with the proposal to the FG for all bank accounts, passports, GSM numbers to be linked to NIN & for Telecom companies to be given a strict deadline to restrict registerable SIMs to three (or less) per person & to deactivate all unregistered ones & those who breach the directive should be heavily fined by the NCC.
The first to react to this proposed policy was Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Bokoharam. He felt so rattled & threatened by this proposed policy by the communication mimister – Pantami which has the obvious potential of hitting his group hard & smashing his activities.
It was no surprise then, when on 13th February, 2020, Shekau – the leader of Boko haram released a video asking his members to kill the communication minister, Isa Pantami.
These were the exact words of Shekau in the video & I quote:
“This video message is specifically released because of one man, who thinks he is knowledgeable. I want him to archive this message and continue referring to it till his death comes. From today onward, you will continue to live in sorrow, because I, Shekau, say so.
“This warning is for Isa Ali Panatami; don’t think simply because you preach in English or because you are called a doctor, it means you have knowledge of Islam. You know nothing. Today you have become a minister, and you are feeling you can achieve your selfish ends. You must know that speaking English has nothing to do with Islam.
“You said you are going to block phone lines and other means of communication, to frustrate the activities of Boko Haram, right? But you must understand that we don’t depend on such to take out our messages. Our messengers are like the angels of God. How dare you attempt to stop the works we are doing for the creator of the heavens and earth, simply because you have become a slave to the white world and the country. We pity you if you don’t repent.
“I swear to God, you are nothing. Initially, we have not begrudged with you, but now you have become a slave to the infidels; repent now and become a good Muslim. If you don’t comply from now on, death will come to you, Isa Ali Pantami. I call on my members in Africa, in Nigeria to rise and do the needful. Let them know that what we did to Sheik Jafar is just the tip of the iceberg. Anywhere you see Isa Ali Pantami, don’t spare him. Isa Ali Pantami you are nothing; even Jafar tried the same thing but we dealt with him; talk less of you that is nothing in Islamic practice. And from today on, you would not have rest of mind because you have dared God…”
As the communication minister – Pantami has called the bluff of the terrorists & has gone ahead this year, 2021 with the implementation of the proposed policies of restricting the number of SIMs per individual, linking them with other personal data to NIN & the FG’s recent announcement of naming those who through investigations using this policy are involved in terrorism in Nigeria, the enemies of Nigeria & Shekau has now resorted to their proven tactics of whipping their hysterical mob of self righteous social media terrorists masquerading as our moral compasses & objective critics to goad Pantami into resigning. Exactly the same way they did our arguably best minister of finance for an offence that is no fault of hers & which was never brought to the public for 4 years she was Ogun state commissioner of finance, cleared by DSS to be a minister & for 3 years she was finance minister not until she refused to help the enemies of Nigeria led by then Ogun governor – Amosun & then Senate President – Saraki to loot the federal treasury & destabilize the APC government on the eve of 2019 elections.
The DSS cleared Pantami for this job. They knew of his rhetorics 20 years ago as a young firebrand scholar. They equally know of his brilliance, qualifications, experience, capabilities & abilities which earned him his present job as minister of communication & he has not dissapointed since he was appointed a minister.
Let Pantami be & do not join or help the terrorists, sponsored by the conscienceless enemies of our nation who raped us into coma & pillaged our resources for 16 uninterrupted years, to rob us of another wonderful brain in this our sustained march to development & progressivism under Mai Gaskiya.
Enough said already!!”
*Lifted from the wall of Nura Lukman Gantsa
