Just In: NCC Shuts Down Telecommunication Services In Zamfara.

As part of the measures to address security challenges in Zamfara State, the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunication operators to immediately shutdown their services across the state.

NCC said the shutdown would be reviewed after two weeks, which it would be considered whether to continue or relax the procedure across the state.

The directives was contained in a press release signed by the Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and sent to the telecommunication operators on Friday in Abuja.

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director/CEO,Globacom Nigeria,titled: Re: Shutdown of All Telecom Site in Zamfara, the Commission noted that the directives was due to prevailing security challenges in the state.

Last week, the telecoms regulator , through a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officers of the telecoms companies, hinted that  the decision is “to enable relevant security agencies to carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenges in the state.”

The letter titled “Re: Shutdown of All Telecom Sites in Zamfara State” was signed by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta.

“The pervading security situation in Zamfara State has necessitated an immediate shut down of all telecom services in the state from today, September 3, 2021,” the letter read in part.

In line with this requirement, NCC directed the operators “to shut down all sites in Zamfara State and any site(s) in neighbouring states that could provide telecommunications service in Zamfara State. The site shutdown is for two weeks (September 03-17, 2021) in the first instance. Your urgent action in this regard is required,”

While the directive was specific about Zamfara State, the reference to any other facilities in any site(s) in neighbouring states that could provide telecommunications service in Zamfara State, means that other states sharing boundaries with the state would be affected by the shutdown.

Zamfara shares boundaries with Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, and Katsina States. To achieve a total shutdown of service, the operators would also have to shut some of their sites in the neighbouring states as directed by the regulator.