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 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, urging relevant government agencies to respect citizens‘ rights and cease any further disruptions of network services.
The CSOs emphasized that the disruption of internet access 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. This action not only violates established norms and standards under regional and international human rights instruments but also hinders the ability of citizens to communicate and access information during critical times.
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. Engineers are currently working to repair the damage and restore service as quickly as possible, with the collaboration of the National Security Advisor to ensure the safety of their personnel during repairs.
The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, addressed the issue during a television interview, stating that there was no instruction to tamper with the network and that the disruptions were not sabotage. He explained that increased internet traffic due to many people not being at work could lead to network congestion, but investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the disruptions.
The CSOs have called on relevant government agencies to respect citizens‘ rights and immediately cease further disruptions of network services and any attempts at future network shutdowns. They stressed the importance of keeping all communication channels open without disruption, especially during uncertain times, to ensure that citizens are able to communicate seamlessly and access accurate information about the state of affairs.
In conclusion, the disruption of internet access during protests in Nigeria has raised concerns among CSOs, who are calling for the protection of citizens‘ rights and the restoration of network services. It is crucial for government agencies to uphold the principles of freedom of expression and communication, especially during times of political unrest, to ensure that citizens can exercise their rights and access information without hindrance.