Boko Haram launches a radio station in Nigeria

Boko Haram, the third deadliest group in the world that operates out of the northern part of Nigeria is taking its operations further by recently launching a radio station. With this launch, the Nigeria-originated terrorist group is joining a web of other terrorist groups that employ the use of technology to facilitate their activities and sometimes to recruit followers.


According to Voice of America (Hausa Service), Boko Haram is now using an FM frequency to broadcast their messages to their faithfuls in Tolkomari, Cameroon. According to residents in the area, the signals from their station is received on 96.8 frequency modulations.

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Information available to us reveal that as of now, the content to their message is mainly to counter the media reports suggesting military success of the joint military efforts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon against the terrorist group.

Boko Haram was founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf, but gained spotlight after 2009 Boko Haram uprising that ultimately led to his death. Upon the killing of Yusuf Mohammed by the Nigerian Police Force after he was caught by the Nigerian Military Force and handed over to the Police, the Boko Haram carnage gained momentum especially in the northern part of Nigeria with the burning of churches and slaying of Christians.

At the begining of their terror campaign, northern Nigeria elite vehemently opposed governments efforts to rout the terrorists out of Nigeria and accused the Jonathan administration of embarking on a genocidal mission agaisnt the North. This accusation led the then leader of Nigeria to soft-pedal, at which time Boko Haram prospered by taking over some parts of the country as its "Caliphate". However, their terror efforts were partially subdued towards the end of the Jonathan's administration which saw tremendous bombings at the Sambisa Forest.

Efforts against Boko Haram terror group was sustained upon the inauguration of President Buhari. As of September 9, 2015, the Director of Information of the Defence Headquarters, Colonel Rabe Abubakar anouced that "these terrorists have been subdued." He maintained that all the "terrorists' hideouts are completely decimated."

The President of Nigeria on his part has maintained that Boko Haram has been "technically defeated".

It appears therefore that the recent launch of radio station by Boko Haram is geared towards having a channel to express their position. Unlike ISIS and the Al-Qaeda terror groups that utilize social media, especially twitter to make their announcements, Boko Haram is wont to releasing video clips or audio recordings to some television and radio stations in northern Nigeria of their leader, Shekeau.

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However, while the station goes on air, about 700 members of the dreaded terror group are renouncing their membership according to a statement released by the Nigerian Defence Headquarter. The revelation was made Thursday the Defence Headquarter spokesman, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar during his courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Bayo Onanuga.

While thanking the news agency for their collaborative effort with the Nigerian military in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency, and further seeking the sustenance of these efforts, the military spokesman inter alia made the revelations

“We have many of the Boko Haram members, who surrendered as a result of our operations in Sambisa.“We have over 700 now and very soon we will open the camp in the North-East where we will be keeping them before the government decides on what to do with them.’’