a set of fires at telecom masts across the north, while threatening
journalists with the Voice of America radio network.
Roughly two dozen blazes were set at mobile phone towers in cities
across the restive region Tuesday and Wednesday, marking a new type of
attack from a group that has become notorious for deadly gun and bomb
assaults.
"We decided to launch attacks on masts of mobile telecom operators as
a result of the assistance they offer security agents," said an email
from the group's spokesman, Abul Qaqa.
This information helps Nigerian security forces "in arresting our
brethren," the statement added.
Nigeria's police chief on Thursday ordered 24-hour surveillance of
telecom installations in response to the spate of fires.
The Islamist group -- blamed for more than 1,400 deaths in northern
and central Nigeria since 2010 -- also issued a warning to the staff
of US government-funded broadcaster Voice of America.
Last month, the network quoted a source it claimed was a deputy to
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who in June was designated a global
terrorist by the United States.
Citing the deputy, VoA reported that Boko Haram had entered secret
peace talks with Nigeria's government, something the radical sect has
categorically ruled out.
"As a result of the harm we understand Voice of America is inflicting
on Islam, we hereby inform all reporters and staff of this radio
station that whoever wants to live in peace among them should quit
working with this media organisation," the statement said.
"We will not spare any reporter or staff wherever we find him, by the
grace of God," the Qaqa statement said.
Boko Haram has previously threatened VoA as well as Radio France
International. In April, the Islamists bombed the Abuja office of This
Day, one of Nigeria's leading newspapers.
Attacks on the media are rare for the group, which has repeatedly
struck Nigeria's security services as well as Christians worshipping
in church, among other targets. Scores of Muslims have also been among
its victims.
Boko Haram has said it wants to create an Islamic state in Nigeria's
majority Muslim north, but the group's demands have varied widely as
its insurgency has widened.
Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer and most populous country, where
most residents of the wealthier, southern half are Christian.
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