Nigeria: Kaduna govt says no plan to shutdown telecoms

In the early hours of yesterday, 7th of September, 2021, rumours were flying around that the Kaduna state government was ready to follow the path of the Zamfara state government by shutting down telecommunication channels in the state.

The speculations had generated controversies online and in major parts of the state.

The popular social media platform, WhatsApp was on fire with the unconfirmed information that telecommunications will be shut down in Kaduna state, starting from today, Wednesday, 8th of September, 2021.

In a statement dated 7th September 2021 and signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, it says the Kaduna is not concerned about shutting down telecoms in the state neither does it plan nor announced such decision anywhere.

Part of the statement reads; "The Kaduna State Government did not reach out to any federal agency to request a telecoms shutdown, and it has not in any way ordered or effected a communications shutdown."

The government of the state assures residents of being transparent when it concerns security matters and the safety of every member of the Kaduna community.

The government implores dwellers in the state to dismiss such rumour as that is not under any consideration by the government.

"Residents of Kaduna State should ignore these rumours. It is fake news which some people are trying to pass off as genuine by placing the KDSG logo on their false statements. It is simply not true. Citizens should ignore the fake news. There is no shutdown of telecoms services in Kaduna State."

Muyiwa Adekeye through the Kaduna government nevertheless said if such action is to be taken, official platforms are available to get the inhabitants of the state informed.

"Were a telecoms shutdown deemed to be necessary, that decision would have been formally announced in a properly signed statement posted on official information handles."

Meanwhile, schools in Kaduna have remained closed for over two months now due to the insecurity challenges of kidnapping facing the state.