By Iliya Kure
Kaduna State Government says it has notified telecoms service providers to restore services to areas placed under restriction in the state with immediate effect.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan made this known on Friday, while briefing Journalists on security situation in the state.
Residents of 7 LGAs in the state had gone 8-weeks, without telecoms services, which the Government says was to help security agencies in the fight against banditry in the state.
The sudden change might however not be unconnected with the news of daily attacks and kidnapping of travellers on Abuja-Kaduna Express way for four consecutive days running Monday through Thursday.
The kidnappers in one of the videos released after abduction of Baptist Worshippers in Kakkau Daji village, outskirts of Kaduna, claimed that the telecoms restrictions had aided their operations, as residents of the area no longer have opportunities to report cases to security agencies.
But according to Mr. Aruwan, the restoration followed reports by security agencies that a level of success has been achieved in the fight against banditry.
“The telecoms shutdown had helped the security agencies to achieve some results, which the security forces will reel out soon,” he said.
While commending residents for their sacrifices, Aruwan said “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 Commissioner, however added that other security measures such as ban in the movement of motorcycles, Keke Napep, sale of fuel in Jerrycan remains, as well as every other restrictions announced, remain effective.
Press briefing by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Kaduna. 26th November 2021
My dear colleagues:
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.
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.
Thank you for your kind attention.
We thanks for our great leaders