Nigerian telecommunications operators have blocked access to Twitter, the micro-blogging platform, in Nigeria following a formal request from the nation’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to a statement jointly signed by the president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and its executive secretary, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and Gbolahan Awonuga respectively, ALTON has assessed the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles.
“We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator to suspend access to Twitter.
“Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the industry regulator.
“We will continue to engage all the relevant authorities and stakeholders and will act as may be further directed by the NCC. We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.
“As an industry, we endorse the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online. This includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications,” the statement read.
This development follows the announcement made by the Minister of Information and Culture. Lai Mohammed, yesterday that the Federal Government had banned the operation of the micro blogging site in Nigeria till further notice.
“The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the micro blogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria,” the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture announced on Friday via Twitter.
Mohammed also said the Federal Government had directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
The tweet that started the crisis came from President Buhari on Tuesday when he wrote via his verified Twitter handle @mbuhari: “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war will treat them in the language they understand.”
Twitter deleted the tweet after many Nigerians drew its attention to it. The social networking giant said: “This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules”.
Following the announcement of FG’s ban of its operations, Twitter’s Senior Policy Communications Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Sarah Hart, said: “The announcement made by the Nigerian Government that they have suspended Twitter’s operations in Nigeria is deeply concerning.
“We’re investigating and will provide updates when we know more,” the statement said.
