Nigeria: Kaduna Announces Restoration of Telecom Services in 7 LGAs after 56 Days

The Kaduna State government on Friday announced the restoration of telecommunication services in areas that were shutdown to fight banditry and kidnappings.

The government of the Northwest Nigeria State had on September 30, 2021, shutdown telecom services in Kajuru, Chikun, Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Zaria and Zango-Kataf Local Government Areas to tackle bandits and kidnappers terrorising the state.

However, addressing journalists on Friday in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan said the state government had contacted relevant federal agencies to effect the immediate restoration of the telecommunication services to the affected areas.

The commissioner added however that other measures put in place to fight insecurity, such as prohibition of movement of motorcycles, sale of fuel in Jerrycans, weekly markets as well as the felling of trees, still remained in force.

He said the telecom shutdown and other measures in “the security containment order,”had helped the security agencies to achieve some results which will soon be reeled out.

“I am here to inform you that the Kaduna state government has contacted the relevant federal agencies to effect the immediate restoration of telecommunication services which were suspended in some local government areas.

“Security agencies had requested the shutdown in October 2021, among other measures, to assist ongoing operations against armed bandits and other criminals. The security agencies have now notified the government that telecoms services can be restored.

“Along with the other measures in the security containment order, the telecoms shutdown had helped the security agencies to achieve some results, which the security forces will reel out soon.

“The prolonged application of this measure was always out of the question, due to its impact on the legitimate activities of citizens and businesses”, the commissioner said.

He said the restoration of full services in the affected areas may unfold over a few days, as the service providers mobilise to power and boost their transmission systems accordingly.

The commissioner said the “Kaduna state government regrets the inconveniences residents of the affected LGAs may have encountered as a result of the shutdown”.

The state government commended the sacrifices made by residents while the shutdown lasted.
Aruwan said further that, “Notwithstanding, the government wishes to reiterate that the other measures announced as part of the security containment orders remain in force.

“These include the prohibition of motorcycles all over the state, the ban on weekly markets, transportation of cattle, and the prohibition of sale of fuel in jerrycans in specified local government areas.”

John Shiklam in Kaduna

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