A cross section of residents of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, has expressed happiness over the restoration of GSM services in the state, The Tide source reports.
Service to Borno State was cut off following the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in May this year by President Goodluck Jonathan when the states came under intense attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.
Though service had been restored to Yobe and Adamawa, Borno had remained shut in the past seven months until Tuesday this week.
Malam Muhammad Wawu, a resident of New GRA, Maiduguri, said the restoration of GSM service by the Federal Government was commendable.
He said the development would help in curtailing the security challenges in the state through proper communication between the people and relevant security agencies.
Wawu said that lack of GSM service aggravated some of the attacks carried out by the insurgents.
Malam Amack Usman, a resident of Gwange area in Maiduguri metropolis, said the gesture would boost socio-economic activities and help in the peace-building process in the state.
Usman said, “With or without GSM service, the Boko Haram insurgents have continued to attack people. This is because I think they have their own Internet and wireless services, the Turaya mobile phones and other communicable facilities.
“I believe if there is GSM network in the state, people will communicate with relevant authorities to inform them of any perceived case of attack.”
A recharge card vendor, who gave his name as Malam Bala Babagana, however, said “only MTN lines are functioning.”
He appealed to the government to restore the other networks to stimulate socio-economic activities in the state.