The closure of @AlurwaAlwuthqa, a Tweeter account allegedly operated by the terrorist group known as Boko Haram, is the subject of a raging controversy on social media.The account, which was described as an instrument of propagandist by foreign media, was set up in the wake of the bombing of Baga – a major town in Borno State.
But, less than two weeks after it started operating, the Twitter page was shut down. As of Sunday, investigation showed that it was no longer active on the social media platform.
Describing the closure on Nairaland.com as a “terrible” response to the activities of the insurgents, one Asa Dike, who also frowned on the undue publicity enjoyed by the Islamist group, said that everything possible should be done to stop the rise of terrorism in the country.
Another online respondent chided Twitter for allowing the account to exist for two weeks, though it knew from the first post that its intention was abusive. The commentator said it was unfortunate that potential victims of terrorists, including the media, offered them publicity platforms.
Another social media analyst was not so sure that Boko Haram operated the account, but he observed that the group’s presence on social media provided the clue to nailing it.
A number of those who commented on the issue charged the Directorate of State Security and other intelligence agencies to arrest those who identified with the insurgents on the page for interrogation.
They said it would be ridiculous for anybody who had no sympathy for Boko Haram or share their ideology to follow them on Twitter.
A section of the conversation focused on how the intelligence agencies could collaborate with Twitter to trace the operators, using sophisticated information technology tools.
“They should tell us where the account was opened and the computer or other devices used. These people can be traced if you get hold of the identities of the devices,” a commentator known as Karomao insisted.
Another person said that unless the operators built strong “firewalls” around their foothold on Twitter and the other platforms they had used, the Internet Protocol Address could provide valuable information on the war against terrorism.
@AlurwaAlwuthqa, which was opened in the wake of the Baga bombing, gained popularity when it was used to display pictures of child jihadists and announce the seizure of Monguno, a village near Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.
Conveying messages in Arabic, the account started tweeting on January 18. It had thousands of followers until it was removed from the social networking site.
As of the time of going to press, there was no comment on the closure by the Nigerian military, which had never indicated that it was aware of the existence of the Twitter page.
Spokesman for the Nigerian Defence, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, who has been very active on Twitter since the battle, had not made any statement on his Twitter page.
However, he said the force was making steady progress in the anti-terrorism war.
On Monday, Olukolade tweeted, “Attack on Maiduguri successfully repelled. Many Terrorists were killed as we inflicted heavy casualties on them. Armored vehicles, artillery guns and many vehicles captured from terrorists who are in disarray as military pursued them in Borno and Adamawa State.”
In the thick of the battle, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno had called on parents and guardians to be more wary of the company that their children kept. He also cautioned the public to be more vigilant as they go about their normal businesses.
While hailing the courage demonstrated by the youth in the state, who joined in the fight against suspected Boko Haram insurgents, he urged members of the public to cooperate with the military.
“Parents and guardians should kindly watch over their children to monitor where they go and who they move around with or bring home. School authorities should take proper control of pupils. Residents should cooperate with the armed forces and treat them as partners that risk their lives to protect them,” he said.
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