Insecurity: FG Orders Glo, MTN, Others To Shut Down Mobile Phone Services In Zamfara

The federal government has directed all telecom operators to shut down their telecommunications networks and mobile phone services in Zamfara State.

The directive is contained in a letter to telecoms operators issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission and personally signed by the Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC.

One of the letters written by the Commission to the Managing Director of Globacom Nigeria Limited and dated September 3, 2020, was obtained by THE WHISTLER.

In the letter, the NCC stated that the action, which would last for a period of two weeks covering September 3 to September 17, was one of the strategies taken by security operatives in curbing banditry ravaging the state.

It reads, “The pervading security situation in Zamfara state has necessitated an Immediate shut down of all telecommunications services in the State from today September 3, 2021.

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

“In line with the requirements, Globacom is hereby directed to shut down all sites in Zamfare State and any site(in neighbouring states that could provide telecommunications service in Zamtara State.

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

Zamfara State has on recent times become a hot bed for banditry and kidnapping.

Just last Wednesday, the State government shut down schools across the state following the abduction of 73 students from a public school in the state..

The state government also imposed a 6pm to 6am curfew on 13 local government areas and 8pm to 6am in Gusau, the state capital.

The spate of kidnappings had made the Zamfara State Government to also announced some new measures aimed at tackling the growing activities of bandits in the state.

These included the restriction of fuel sales to the state capital and the headquarters of the local government areas and suspension of all weekly markets across the state.

Similarly, the government suspended the transportation of livestock to and from the state, explaining that the transportation of food across the state and outside Zamfara must be verified.

It noted that the destination of the food must be authenticated otherwise, it would be seized and taken to the orphanage.

The new rules further include the banning of riding on motorcycles and tricycles from 6pm to 6am in the state, except the state capital which starts from 8pm to 6am every day.

The government urged the people of the state to comply with the measures to avoid unfortunate incidents, saying security operatives would be empowered to treat offenders as suspected bandits.