Those Terrorists’ 400 Starlink Devices

Recently, the Nigerian military achieved a major success in the ongoing war against terrorism when they intercepted 400 Starlink devices used for communication by terrorists in the North-East.

Any effort that strangulates, no matter how minute, the logistics and communication network of these terror elements, in our estimation, deserves applause.

Since 2009, when Boko Haram terrorists’ activities escalated following their bold attacks on police stations and government buildings between 26 and 29 July, the terrorists, either directly or through their affiliates ISWAP, have killed thousands of Nigerian civilians and security personnel.

Despite determined efforts of the security agencies, there seems to be a rise in killings by these terrorists. They have become so daring that they continue to attack even military bases, causing the deaths of senior military personnel.

The records are alarming. In January, ISWAP attacked the Damasak military base and killed Major Bashar Mohammed, a senior officer in charge of a local base, whose body was recovered days after he was declared missing.

In March, they attacked Kukawa Military Camp in Borno State, killing the camp commander, Lt Col Umar Farooq. There was also an assault on the 2nd Battalion, Konduga, where the commander, Lt Col S.I. Ilyasu, paid the supreme price. In April, they struck a military formation at Benisheikh, where Brigadier General Oseini Braimah was killed. In the same month, the commanding officer of the 242 Battalion Monguno, Lt Col A.M Mohammed, died when his vehicle ran over an explosive device planted by terrorists. Not only are military bases being attacked, civilians are also being killed by these terrorists with reckless abandon.

It is evident that these terrorists are increasingly mobilising which may be connected to the logistical support they are obtaining from various, yet to be identified sources. Nothing encourages criminals like this kind of backing. Therefore, to eliminate terrorism, the government must intensify efforts to cut off their intelligence and logistical support.

The interception of the 400 Starlink devices, which is one of the numerous steps taken to disrupt their communication is, therefore, a commendable effort. However, it signals a greater threat and raises many questions. How was it possible for these terrorists to access these devices? Why has this not been traced up till now? Who are the suppliers?

One thing is certain: some individuals are responsible for purchasing these devices for the terrorists. The main challenge will be to identify them. These are the real threats and the obstacles to the nation’s efforts to end this war on terror.

The real tragedy lies in the harm these terrorists have managed to cause with the help of these devices. Lives are being lost daily. Citizens live in constant fear. Many innocent lives are being put on hold. Members of the military are being killed. The nation’s security and sovereign integrity are continually threatened and compromised. All because some renegades have access to devices they should not ordinarily have access to,

We expect that by now, the Nigerian government would have engaged SpaceX to obtain details of the addresses linked to these devices. But most importantly, to discuss how to either restrict terrorists’ access to these devices or track them using the devices.

As a newspaper, we commend the Nigerian military for intercepting this large number of Starlink devices, which will undoubtedly deal a fatal blow to the terrorists’ operations. However, beyond the interception, the Nigerian military must do everything necessary to gather as much intelligence as possible on those responsible for registering these devices. They need to be identified and brought to justice. When law-abiding citizens struggle to register their Starlink devices promptly, yet terrorists have ample access, then clearly something is fundamentally wrong.

The war against terror in Nigeria remains difficult because terrorists continue to receive support from various parts of Nigerian society. They are funded by unscrupulous citizens and obtain information from unpatriotic, criminal-minded residents. They also receive backing from certain security circles. It is a complex criminal network sustained by selfish individuals in Nigeria and their foreign collaborators.

Unless Nigeria, with the support of neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, among others, unite to collaboratively work to cut off the logistical, communication, transportation, and food supply chains of these terrorists, ending the war will remain a pipe dream.