TELCOs faults internet disruptions on cable cuts during protests

Telecom providers in Nigeria have attributed the recent internet disruptions across the country to cable cuts caused by hoodlums during the #EndBadGovernance protests.

This explanation comes in response to allegations from various organizations that some network providers deliberately interfered with services to restrict coverage of the demonstrations.

Gbolahan Awonuga, the executive secretary of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), stated that the network outages were a result of demonstrators damaging internet cables. Speaking to Leadership, Awonuga emphasized that the disruptions were unintentional and not a coordinated effort by telecom operators to limit information flow during the protests.

He stated, “There are a lot of cable cuts across Nigeria. Some of the protesters went into the manhole and cut the cables. The network disruption is not a matter of the government trying to sabotage the protest. It is as a result of the cable cut.”

Awonuga mentioned that arrangements are being made with the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA) to give operators clearance to repair the damages. He also appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience, as efforts are underway to restore the network soon.