Nigeria Orders Telcos to Suspend Calls, Internet Services in Bandit-ravaged Zamfara State

Following growing insecurity in northern Zamfara State, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has instructed telecommunications companies in the country to shut down their services in the state for two weeks.

Umar Danbatta, the Chief Executive Officer of NCC in a leaked memo to the managing director of one of the telecommunication companies, on Friday gave the directives and said the action will be immediate.

Danbatta said the action had become necessary in other to address security challenges in the state.

Recent reported cases of banditry and kidnappings had also led Governor Bello Matawalle to suspend transportation of livestock beyond the state’s borders.

Mr Matawalle also directed that weekly markets in the state be shut.

“The pervading security situation in Zamfara state has necessitated an immediate shut down of all telecommunications services in the state from today September 03, 2021,” Danbatta said in the leaked memo.

“This is to enable relevant security agencies to carry out required activities towards addressing the security agencies carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state,” the statement reads.

“This site shutdown is for two (2) weeks (September 03-17,2021) in the first instance. Your urgent action in this regard is required.”

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