Bolanle Akanji
Moderator
Nigeria’s military has restored the mobile phone service in the crisis ridden city of Maiduguri, a day after a major raid by Islamists which prompted a ban on movements in the area.
Phone services were disconnected in May following a declaration of a state of emergency in the area. This was expected to help the military block Boko Haram from coordinating attacks in the embattled city.
“The telephone lines in and out of Maiduguri were switched on… They should be working now,” defence spokesman Chris Olukolade. He is unable to say if the phone services will remain on for long.
According to him, the decision was made because the situation is more conducive now than ever.
The ban on movement has been a major source of frustration for the city residents.
“We are being punished unnecessarily,” said Gambo Datti, a resident. “I have a wife and five children. As I am talking to you now, we have nothing for lunch,” he added.
The Borno state government has however announced the relaxation of the curfew. The new curfew will start at 7pm and end 6am everyday.
Phone services were disconnected in May following a declaration of a state of emergency in the area. This was expected to help the military block Boko Haram from coordinating attacks in the embattled city.
“The telephone lines in and out of Maiduguri were switched on… They should be working now,” defence spokesman Chris Olukolade. He is unable to say if the phone services will remain on for long.
According to him, the decision was made because the situation is more conducive now than ever.
The ban on movement has been a major source of frustration for the city residents.
“We are being punished unnecessarily,” said Gambo Datti, a resident. “I have a wife and five children. As I am talking to you now, we have nothing for lunch,” he added.
The Borno state government has however announced the relaxation of the curfew. The new curfew will start at 7pm and end 6am everyday.