Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has explained that security agencies were actually the ones that requested the shutdown of telecommunication services in Zamfara to curtail banditry.
The Minister clarified that the directive did not originate from his ministry and that the Federal Government did not object to the request either.
Pantami gave this clarification on Wednesday while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
When asked if the network shutdown will be extended to Katsina, Kaduna, and other bandit-prone states, the minister said responding to such a question will reveal too much security information and jeopardise efforts.
He explained that the Federal Government is willing to sacrifice economic gains in the telecom sector for security.
Pantami, therefore, urged Nigerians to exercise patience, show understanding and support the efforts of security agencies.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
