The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and all the four major telecommunications companies in country have refused to speak on telecommunications services shutdown in Zamfara State.

A letter purportedly by the NCC, ordering MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile to shut down their telecom sites in banditry-ravaged Zamfara for two weeks surfaced on social media on Friday night.

NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, neither answered calls placed to his mobile line nor responded to SMS and WhatsApp messages.

Also, the chairman of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) Engr Gbenga Adebayo also refused to respond to messages sent to his mobile line for confirmation of receipt of the letter by ALTON members.

Similarly, the spokespersons of MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile have all not responded to enquiries on the directive to shut down their boosting facilities in the Northwest state, as of Saturday morning.

The leaked NCC letter purportedly signed by its Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer prof Umar Garba Danbatta, directed all the telecom operators to shut their sites to weeks with effect from Friday, September 3, 2021.

The letter titled, “RE: SHUTDOWN OF ALL TELECOM SITES IN ZAMFARA STATE” is said is in order to allow ”relevant security agencies carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state.”

The letter read in part: ”Reference is made to the above subject. The pervading security situation in Zamfara state has necessitated an immediate shut down of all telecommunications services in the State from today September 03, 2021. This is to enable relevant security agencies carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state.

“In line with this requirement, Globacom is hereby directed 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 (2) weeks (September 03 – 17, 2021) in the first instance. Your urgent action in this regard is required,” it said.

(Daily Trust)

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