During the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria, widespread internet disruptions have led to accusations that telecom operators, in collusion with the government, are deliberately interfering with the network to stifle the demonstrations. Telecom providers, however, have attributed the disruptions to cable cuts by hoodlums.
Beginning on August 1, the #EndBadGovernance protests emerged from widespread discontent over economic conditions and government policies.
With thousands taking to the streets, demonstrators are demanding urgent government intervention to address the soaring cost of living and other socio-economic issues.
Several violent incidents, including deaths and looting, have marred the protests, intensifying the tense situation and prompting calls for an end to the protests.
While the Northern parts of the country have been rocked by the incidents of violence and arson, the South East and South West have largely experienced peaceful rallies.
Gbolahan Awonuga, Executive Secretary of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), clarified the situation, stating,
“There are a lot of cable cuts across Nigeria. Some of the protesters went into the manhole and cut the cables. The network disruption is not a matter of the government trying to sabotage the protest. It is as a result of the cable cut,” he told Leadership.
Awonuga also mentioned that telecom operators are working with the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA) to secure clearance for repairing the damage. He appealed for patience from Nigerians as efforts to restore the network are underway.
Despite the telecom operators’ explanations, public sentiment remains dubious, with many attributing the network disruptions to intentional actions aimed at stifling the protests.
Despite these explanations, public reaction has been mixed, with many Nigerians expressing skepticism.
Social media was abuzz with users doubting the telecom providers’ claims, suggesting that the network issues began even before the protests started.
“Internet that went bad before the protest even started, this country is cooked,” commented one user. Another echoed, “Lies… The network was awful even before the protest started.”
Others questioned the honesty of the telecom operators, with comments such as, “You guys are just something else. You aren’t even trying to lie properly. Is it see finish or what?” and “Some kind of lie Dey pain for chest, it makes you question your sanity.”
The controversy underscores the tension between the Nigerian public and authorities during a period of significant civil unrest. Below is a compilation of social media reactions to the internet disruption in Nigeria:
Gbemiola CFC (@QUEENOFDBLUES1):
“Na Ogunnn go pvni$h all of you for this lie. @MTNNG @AirtelNigeria @9mobileng @GloWorld You colluded with APC Govt to disrupt the Internet at this time yet you’ve the audacity to lie on hoodlums. Make Oguuuuun fini$h una there for this lie. Bad governance, bad internet.”
Samara (@thee_samara):
“Lies lies lies .. 2 things: 1. Why does it work at night? Before you say ‘less active users on bandwidth at night’, 2. If I turn on my VPN and change my IP to another in the same country, it’s supposed to fix the issue. But even with change in IP, it doesn’t. This means it’s an intentional signal jam. Nice try.”
Abel Bliss Ezichi (@EziBliss):
“Protesters are now to be blamed for everything. What about when the network was bad on Monday morning when the protest had not started? Who is to be blamed?”
Bethel Is Evil (@Anon4noun):
“Shut up there, the network went bad around 5-6 am on the first day of protest when nobody even went out. Useless folks, you’ll see your waterloo soon. For now, use the country the way you like; when people are really tired God won’t save us. All what is happening is rubbish.”
Uncle Wilson (@iam_wilsons):
“May Amadioha and Agbo Edo Nnewi fire their mouth there. What do these wild animals even take Nigerians for? Ewu Gambia.”
Okpara Mbaitoli (@BrightIykeIMO):
“Unless you mean the APC thugs that protested before peaceful Nigerians started the protest days after. I still wonder how someone’s father will lie blindly.”
Judex Luxury Apartments (@NnamdiJude9):
“Lol, very unbelievable excuse. They cut the cables for what exactly? Protesters that were eager to see the protest make the international news, so how is it sensible that they cut the network cables? What’s the benefit to their protest? Mtcheeeew.”
Let’s Talk Tech by Eloquent (@letstalktech58):
“Where the network cable wey them destroy dey? These people no go stop to dey lie.”
Bullion (@Neduzy):
“This is a white lie! The network was bad as early as 6 am August 1st. So, is he saying protesters went that early to cut internet cables? These people really think we are foolish and stupid in this country sha. I have nothing to say other than asking the waiter to do the usual.”
Tommy6:15 (@LegalGhuru):
“Honestly, for Nigerians to enter heaven go hard. Na screening upon screening we go collect. I don get issues with all my networks before the protest even start. Even my WhatsApp crashed. Make we dey lie small small for this country. Fear God!”
Duke of Liquidecity (@damihypmillar):
“And it suddenly works well at night.”
