Nigeria - Boko Haram Militants Attack Telecom Facilities In Zaria

A violent gang believed to be members of the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram have attacked several telecommunications facilities in Northern Nigerian city of Zaria, Kaduna State.

A security source in Zaria said the men, traveling on motorcycles and armed with guns, fired shots into the air as they set fire to communication masts. He identified the specific locations as being Dan Magaji and Kwarbai.

Fire fighters were reportedly rushed to those locations to put out the flames.

Last week, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for similar attacks on telecommunications infrastructure in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Kano States.

Spokesman Abu Qaqa said his group wanted to punish GSM companies because they have helped security agencies to arrest and kill many of its members.  He vowed that the attacks would continue until the companies stopped cooperating with the authorities.