MTN Nigeria Accused of Hindering Spotlight on #Lekkimassacre by Switching off Internet

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has quickly taken down a statement it issued on Twitter last night, after it was met with major backlash by angry Nigerians.

The telecommunications firm, which the leading provider of voice, data, and fintech services in Nigeria, announced that it was experiencing network disruptions and that customers should be patient with them. However, a lot of the customers were quick to accuse the telco of intentionally switching off the internet around Lekki Lagos, where a massacre of unarmed protesters occurred last night.

One of those who have called out MTN is Afrobeat star, Davido. Reacting to the statement by MTN, Davido said he regretted having ever worked with the company.

https://twitter.com/davido/status/1318838297985273857

Davido is not the only one blasting MTN Nigeria. Many others have alleged that the service provider intentionally turned off the internet in Lekki to make it difficult for Nigerians to broadcast the horrendous incident that happened there Tuesday night. Although the press statement has seen by taken down by MTN Nigeria, Business Elites Africa got a screenshot of it.

As you cab see from MTN’s explanation above, the disruption in network service was supposedly caused by “loss of auxiliary power supply at a hub site in the area.” The company did not explain what caused this supposed power outage or why it happened last night out of all nights.

As Twitter user who claimed to be a telecom equipment installer explained why MTN’s explanation was implausible.

https://twitter.com/godimangellyn/status/1318714869282197505

As you may have known, Nigeria is witnessing an existential crisis of serious proportions. For nearly two weeks now, young people across the country have been protesting against police brutality, extra judicial killings, and bad governance. The protests, which were mostly peaceful, gradually began to turn violent after “some elements” allegedly sponsored by the government began to wreck havoc. More than twenty people have seen died, many of them shot down by police officers right in the middle of protests.

Yesterday, a 24-hour curfew was declared. But before the curfew began, soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters killing some of them. Dozens of others were injured in the process. Follow up on that story by following the link below.

https://atomic-temporary-203083154.wpcomstaging.com//2020/10/21/lekki-toll-gate-massacre/