Telecommunication Network Operators have received directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC) to suspend access to Twitter.
The NCC order is in compliance with the federal government’s announcement that it had suspended Twitter.
The operators, among them MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Glo, etc, who are under the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) in a statement this morning confirmed receiving the order from the NCC. The ALTON statement was signed by its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Executive Secretary Gbolahan Awonuga.
ALTON said its members would carry out the NCC order in accordance with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The statement said ALTON has“conducted a robust assessment of the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles.
“Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the industry regulator.
‘We will continue to engage all the relevant authorities and stakeholders and will act as may be further directed by the NCC.
‘We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.
The Association said it endorses the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online and this includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications.
