A development journalist and community leader, Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, has appealed to the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC to urgently intervene in what he described as a “digital blackout” in Zamfara North Senatorial District, where internet services have been cut off for over three months without explanation.
In an open letter addressed to Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Kaura lamented that major service providers — MTN, Airtel, and Glo — had shut down services across Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Zurmi local government areas, leaving more than 1.78 million people in digital isolation.
According to him, the blackout has crippled businesses, disrupted education, and deepened unemployment among youths who depend on digital platforms for entrepreneurship and innovation. He further warned that such prolonged disconnection could worsen insecurity by pushing idle youths into crime and radicalisation.
“By denying over 1.7 million people access to internet services, we risk compounding our already fragile socio-economic and security challenges in Zamfara State,” Kaura cautioned.
The journalist, who is also Publicity Secretary of the Kaura Namoda Focus Forum (KNFF) and Zonal Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone A, reminded the NCC of its obligations under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which mandates the commission to ensure service quality, protect subscribers’ rights, and resolve disputes between operators and consumers.
Kaura urged the NCC to take four immediate steps:
- Direct telecom operators to restore internet services in Zamfara North.
- Compel them to compensate subscribers for the months of blackout.
- Enforce compliance with the requirement to notify customers ahead of any service disruptions.
- Safeguard youths’ access to digital opportunities that foster jobs, education, and entrepreneurship.
“Zamfara North is one of the fastest-growing regions in Nigeria. Our communities cannot afford to be left behind in the digital economy while the rest of the country advance,” he stressed.
Kaura expressed hope that the NCC would act decisively to restore trust, protect subscribers’ rights, and uphold its mandate as a true regulator for the people. (Realnews)
