The Nigerian government has ordered all telecom operators to shut down their mobile phone networks in Katsina, the home State of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It takes immediate effect today Monday, September 06, 2021.
On Friday, all such networks were shut down in neighbouring Zamfara State.
Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in a letter to all telecom operators on Friday said the action was one of the strategies taken by security operatives in curbing banditry ravaging the State.
The shutdown also affects “any site(s) in nieghbouring States that could provide telecommunications service in Katsina State. The site shut down is for two (2) weeks (September 06-20, 2021) in the first instance.”
Part of the letter by Professor Danbatta said that the electronic lockdown has become imperative as “the pervading security situation in Katsina State has necessitated an immediate shutdown of all telecommunications services in the State from today September 06 2021.
“This is to enable relevant security agencies carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenges in the State.”