The recent disruption of internet connection during the ongoing protest against hunger in Nigeria has sparked outrage among Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Communications Commission, and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, the CSOs condemned the intentional disruption of access to the internet, calling it an unacceptable breach of established norms and standards under regional and international human rights instruments.
The coalition of CSOs emphasized that using internet disruptions during political unrest only serves to exacerbate the concerns of citizens and goes against Chapter Four of Nigeria’s Constitution, which guarantees its citizens the rights to freedom of conscience, expression, assembly, and association. The CSOs called on relevant government agencies to respect citizens’ rights and immediately cease any further disruptions of network services.
Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria confirmed reports of vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, including internet cables, which occurred on Thursday, causing damage and impacting network performance. Gbolahan Awonuga, the Secretary of ALTON, clarified that the disruptions were solely due to cable cuts and not a government attempt to sabotage the protests.
ALTON assured the public that engineers are currently working to repair the damage and restore service as quickly as possible. They are also collaborating with the National Security Advisor to ensure the safety of their engineers and technicians during repairs. The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, clarified during a television interview that there was no instruction to tamper with the network and that the disruptions were not sabotage.
The CSOs reiterated the importance of keeping all communication channels open without disruption, especially during uncertain times, to ensure citizens are able to communicate seamlessly and access accurate information about the state of things. They called for an immediate halt to any further disruptions of network services and any attempts at future network shutdowns.
In conclusion, the coalition of CSOs in Nigeria has strongly condemned the disruption of internet connection during the ongoing protest against hunger in the country. They have called on relevant government agencies to respect citizens’ rights and cease any further disruptions of network services. It is crucial for communication channels to remain open and accessible, especially during times of unrest, to ensure citizens can communicate effectively and access vital information.