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Tag: Telecommunications

  • Banditry: Sokoto Govt Shuts Down Telecom Networks In 14 LGs

    Banditry: Sokoto Govt Shuts Down Telecom Networks In 14 LGs

    The Sokoto State government has shut down telecommunications networks in 14 of the 23 local government areas of the state.

    This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Muhammad Bello.

    “About three weeks after it approved an Executive Order in response to the situation of insecurity in the eastern flank of Sokoto State, Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Monday disclosed the state’s collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to block services of communications operations in 14 local government areas of the state,” Bello said.

    The LGAs affected by the Executive Order include Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wurno, and Dange Shuni.

    Bello stated that 13 of the local governments were initially affected by the Security Challenges (Containment) Order approved on September 1.

    He explained that the order led to the closure of some roads to motorists, suspension of animal trades, prohibition of transportation of cattle, as well as transportation of more than three persons on motorcycles and tricycles, among others.

    “In addition to these local government areas, Dange Shuni local government area will also be affected by the latest communications blockade, bringing the number of LGAs affected to 14,” the governor’s spokesman added.

    Meanwhile, there was confusion in parts of Sokoto after the telecommunications network from two major service providers went down, as residents were unable to make calls or access internet services.

    But telecommunication services were available for users of two other service providers, a situation that reduced the tension and apprehension among the people.

    Comments and posts on most social media platforms in the state were mostly expressions of frustration and anger by residents questioning the rationale behind the decision of the authorities.

    On Sunday, six locals were killed when bandits attacked Saminaka – a village located along the Bale-Tangaza Road in Tangaza, one of the LGAs affected by the Executive Order.

    Sources in the village said the village came under attack in the morning and those killed comprised two married women and four children.

    The women were reported to have been shot dead when they made an attempt to escape from the assailants.

    However, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, said they had not been briefed of the attack.

  • Kaduna State Govt Denies Plan to Shut down Telecom Services

    Kaduna State Govt Denies Plan to Shut down Telecom Services

    The Kaduna State Government has said it has no plan to shut down telecommunication services in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye.

    According to the statement, the government has not made such a decision, neither has it announced any such plan.

    “The Kaduna State Government did not reach out to any federal agency to request a telecoms shutdown and it has not in any way ordered or effected a communications shutdown,’’ the statement said.

    It called on residents to ignore the rumours saying that is a fake news which some people were trying to pass off as genuine by placing KDSG logo on their false statements.

    “The Kaduna State Government is transparent about security matters. If a telecoms shutdown is deemed necessary that decision will be formally announced in a properly signed statement posted on official information handles,” it said.

  • Glo Announces Registration of NIN At Its Retail Centres

    Glo Announces Registration of NIN At Its Retail Centres

    Telecommunications company, Globacom, has announced the commencement of registration of Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN) at its Gloworld outlets across the country. 

    In a press release issued on Friday, Globacom revealed that it has deployed devices which are in tandem with NIMC standards and begun registration exercise in several Gloworld shops, while plans are underway to start the process in other retail outlets in other parts of the country.

    The company explained that followed after it secured an approval licence from the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to start the enrolment of Nigerians who have not yet registered.

    The NIN registration has commenced the exercise in several Gloworld outlets, while arrangements are being concluded for retail outlets that are not live yet for NIN enrolment to also begin soon.

    Said Glo, “Subscribers who have secured their NIN but have not linked them with their mobile numbers can do so by simply texting their NIN to 109. Alternatively, they may dial *109# to submit their NIN. Customers can also call 109 to update their NIN via voice call”.

    Globacom reiterated its commitment to the provision of seamless experience for its subscribers while promising continued collaboration with Government in its bid to create a secure and sustainable communications industry in Nigeria.

  • Nigeria ordered telecommunications companies, including MTN, Airtel to suspend the sale of SIM cards

    Nigeria ordered telecommunications companies, including MTN, Airtel to suspend the sale of SIM cards

    Nigeria ordered telecommunications companies, including MTN Group Ltd. and Airtel Africa Plc, to suspend the sale of SIM cards while authorities check their compliance with registration guidelines. It didn’t say how long the review would take.

    “Mobile network operators are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM cards until the audit exercise is concluded,” the Nigerian Communications Commission said in a statement on its website.

    Johannesburg-based MTN’s local unit, the West African country’s biggest wireless operator, said it had complied with the directive, according to a notice it sent to customers.

    Airtel Africa, which listed in Lagos and London last year, vies with local operator Globacom Ltd. as the country’s second-biggest carrier.

    The NCC fined MTN in 2015 for failing to disconnect undocumented SIM cards as part of a security crackdown. The matter was resolved a year later when the company paid 330 billion naira ($839 million) after extensive negotiations.

  • Cybercrime, e-fraud, major challenges facing telecommunication users — NCC

    Cybercrime, e-fraud, major challenges facing telecommunication users — NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has attributed cybercrime and e-fraud as one of the major challenges facing telecommunications users in the country.

    NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this during the commission’s special day in Enugu on Sunday at the ongoing 31st Enugu International Trade Fair.

    Danbatta, represented by a Director in the Commission, Reuben Mmuoka, said NCC recently hosted a cyber security enlightenment conference where telecoms stakeholders were enlightened on dangers associated with cybercrimes.

    He advised telecom consumers not to open unknown emails or post Personal Identification Number (PIN) online as bank would never ask them for their personal detail via internet or over the phone.

    Danbatta disclosed that the commission had also educated parents on their roles regarding child online protection.

    “The sensitisation programmes are targeted at parents, aimed at equipping them with the right knowledge they need to limit the exposure of their children to the negative aspects of internet use.

    “To protect subscribers from unsolicited text messages or voice calls, the commission evolved “do not disturb” (DNB), directing all mobile network operators to dedicate a short code to enable subscribers to take informed but independent decisions on what messages they wish to receive.”

    He pointed out that NCC as regulator had come with initiatives to enable consumers lodge their complaints when dissatisfied with the services provided by their operators.

    “The Commission will apply appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions against such service provider.

    “NCC identifies consumer as a very important stakeholder in the telecoms industry, which is evident in our 8-point agenda where empowerment and protection is properly captured,” he added.

    The Vice Chairman said that the NCC Special Day was aimed at educating and informing subscribers on the use of communication services and their rights as telecoms consumers.

    In his address, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emma Nwandu, said that the role of NCC as a regulatory agency in the telecommunication sector was commendable.

    According to him, telecommunication industry has witnessed a great revolution in the socio-economic life, which has equally accentuated the pace of socio-economic life as individuals and as a nation.(NAN)