Nigerians have taken to social media to accuse MTN Nigeria of sabotaging the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests through deliberate network disruptions.
News About Nigeria gathered that many users reported connectivity issues, including slow internet speeds and frequent service interruptions, leading to widespread speculation that MTN might be colluding with the government to stifle the protests.
Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, became the hub for these complaints, with users accusing MTN of intentionally disrupting services to hinder communication and organisation among protesters.
The situation has sparked calls for a boycott of MTN, with some users suggesting a switch to other network providers as a form of protest.
MTN Nigeria, in a statement, denied any deliberate sabotage and assured customers that efforts were underway to restore full service.
However, the timing of the disruptions, coinciding with the protests, has fueled suspicion and added tension to the ongoing demonstrations, which are demanding greater governmental accountability and transparency.
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This controversy follows a series of incidents earlier in the week, where an MTN office in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State was damaged by a mob.
The unrest was sparked by the barring of phone lines due to issues related to the National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM registration mandate.
Similar incidents were reported in other locations, highlighting the widespread frustration among MTN subscribers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had set a deadline for the NIN-SIM linkage policy, initially scheduled for April 15, 2024, but later extended to July 31, 2024, to allow more time for compliance.
The abrupt enforcement of this policy without sufficient notice led to widespread dissatisfaction and protests.
In response to the violence and property damage, MTN Nigeria temporarily closed its offices on July 30, 2024, to protect its staff and facilities.
The company advised customers to use digital support platforms, which remained operational, and later reopened its stores on Wednesday.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that order had been restored in FESTAC Town following the unrest.
