Banditry: FG Orders Telcos To Shut Down Mobile Phone Services In Zamfara

Malik Yahya/

Six months after declaring Zamfara State a ‘no fly zone’, the Federal Government has ordered major telecommunications firms to shut down their communication sites in the state.

A leaked memo signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta, which was addressed to one of the telecoms operators, stated that the shutdown of the telecoms sites had become necessary due to the insecurity in the state.

“The pervading security situation in Zamfara State has necessitated an immediate shutting down of all telecommunications service in the state from today September 03, 2021,” the memo reads.

“This is to enable relevant security agencies carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state, in line with the requirement, Globacom is hereby directed to shut down all sites in Zamfara State and any site(s) in neighboring state that could provide telecommunications service in Zamfara State.

“The site shutdown is for two weeks (September 03-17,2021) in the first instance. Your urgent action in this regard is required.”

The Zamfara State Government had also announced some new measures aimed at tackling the growing activities of bandits in the state, in a statement last Friday.

These included the restriction of fuel sales to the state capital and the headquarters of the local government areas and suspension of all weekly markets across the state.

Similarly, the government suspended the transportation of livestock to and from the state, saying the transportation of food across the state and outside Zamfara must be verified.

It stressed that the destination of the food must be authenticated otherwise, it would be seized and taken to the orphanage.

The new rules further include the banning of riding on motorcycles and tricycles from 6pm to 6am in the state, except the state capital which starts from 8pm to 6am every day.

“Furthermore, any tricycle that is covered will be stopped to verify its passengers, otherwise will be apprehended,” the statement reads.

The statement reiterates the ban on more than two persons riding a motorcycle and warns that those who break the law stand the risk of being shot at by security operatives.

0