Federal Government Suspends Twitter in the country

 

The Federal Government has indefinitely suspended operations of Social media networking giant, Twitter, in Nigeria.

Lai (pronounced ‘lie’) Mohammed, Nigeria’s minister of Information and Culture, made the announcement via a statement signed by his

Special Assistant Segun Adeyemi, who cited that the platform was used  for activities that were capable of undermining Nigeria’s frail unity.

The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the
process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.

Twitter does not have physical offices or data farms in Nigeria, but the blocking of access to the popular network could bolster allegations of repression long ascribed to the administration.

The announcement came a day after Twitter deleted tweets and videos posted on social media by Mr Buhari, which threatened genocide against the Igbo-dominated South-East.

Mr Mohammed had condemned Twitter’s action, saying it raised suspicion about the company’s intention in Nigeria.

The Buhari administration has recently adopted the tactics of forcing telecom networks to tethered connection to websites seen as critical.