In compliance with the order of Nigeria’s government, Mobile network Operators (MNOs) – the quartet of MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile – have shut down their 248 base transceiver stations which support telecommunication services to Zamfara State of Nigeria, and disconnected over 2 million subscribers in the state from the networks.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Zamfara has 2,177,431 active subscribers from 2,337,893 connected lines, while Internet users are around 1.59 million. By the FG’s directive, it means that for the next two weeks, these sets of subscribers won’t have access to any form of telephony services, as reported by THE GUARDIAN.
It was gathered that some parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger and Kaduna States are impacted greatly by the shut-down.
Industry experts explain that a service signal from a cell tower could reach up to 45 miles away, depending on the technology of the cellphone network. Every base station communicates with each other. By so doing, the impact on Zamfara will affect adjourning cities and communities in northwestern Nigeria. To achieve a total shutdown of service In Zamfara as ordered by government, the operators would have to shut some of their sites in the neighbouring states.
Recall that the FG had on September 3, citing rising cases of insecurity in Zamfara and adjourning cities, ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to direct all telecommunications providers operating in the region to shut down services in the state.
This was seen as the last move that may totally shut down every economic activity in Zamfara as the governor, Bello Matawalle, had earlier last week announced the closure of all weekly markets in the state as part of measures to address the worsening security situation.
An official of one of the telecoms service providers said operators had since September 3 shut down services in Zamfara as directed by the FG.
The official said going by the spate of banditry activities in the region, “I see Federal Government extending the directive beyond the two weeks. If care is not taken, it may extend till another two months. As much as there would be losses to operators, FG has the edge when it comes to security matters.”
