The suspension of telecommunication services imposed on some parts of Kaduna State has been lifted, the government announced on Friday.
This was announced by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
“I am here to inform you that the Kaduna State Government has contacted the relevant federal agencies to effect the immediate restoration of telecommunication services which were suspended in some local government areas,” the commissioner said.
Aruwan explained that “security agencies had requested the shutdown in October 2021, among other measures, to assist ongoing operations against armed bandits and other criminals.
“The security agencies have now notified the government that telecoms services can be restored.
“Along with the other measures in the security containment order, the telecoms shutdown had helped the security agencies to achieve some results, which the security forces will reel out soon.
“The prolonged application of this measure was always out of the question, due to its impact on the legitimate activities of citizens and businesses.”
“Residents are advised that the restoration of full services in the affected areas may unfold over a few days, as the service providers mobilise to power and boost their transmission systems accordingly.”
“The Kaduna State Government regrets the inconveniences residents of the affected LGAs may have encountered as a result of the shutdown. The state government wishes to commend the sacrifices made by residents while this temporary measure lasted.”
“Notwithstanding, the government wishes to reiterate that the other measures announced as part of the security containment orders remain in force. These include the prohibition of motorcycles all over the state, the ban on weekly markets, transportation of cattle, and the prohibition of sale of fuel in jerrycans in specified local government areas,” he said.
The shutdown of telecom services in some parts of the north has come under serious scrutiny because despite the action, kidnapping and other forms of banditry have continued to flourish in that part of the country and others.
Last weekend, there was a harvest of kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, as bandits in their numbers took over the major expressway in the country carting away a number of people.
Viral videos showed soldiers driving to the spots to engage the kidnappers. A car belonging to one of the kidnap victims could be seen abandoned off the road, as his friends arrived at the scene lamenting that their friend, who drove ahead of them, had been taken by the bandits.
