The Nigerian government says it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in the country.
This comes after the micro-blogging site deleted a controversial post by President Muhammadu Buhari referencing the country’s civil war, and threatening to treat those attacking government buildings “with the language they understand”.
“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he wrote on Tuesday.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension of Twitter, citing the alleged use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
PRESS RELEASE
FG Suspends @Twitter Operations in Nigeria pic.twitter.com/7z5BQ0Mi3U
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) June 4, 2021
According to the statement signed by Special Assistant To The President, Segun Adeyemi, the minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all social media operations in Nigeria.
Mr Mohammed had earlier claimed the social media site’s response to Nigeria was “suspect”.
The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the
National Broadcasting l Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) June 4, 2021
Mr Mohammed has for long championed the call for regulation of social media in the country, claiming the platforms are used to spew hate.
Segun Adeyemi @SegunAde88
Special Assistant To The President (Media)
Office of the Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
4 June 2021— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) June 4, 2021
Twitter reacts …
Twitter has however expressed “deep concern” over the federal government’s decision to suspend its operations in Nigeria.
Sarah Hart, Twitter’s Senior Policy Communications Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who made this known in a statement, said the company is investigating the development.
“The announcement made by the Nigerian Government that they have suspended Twitter’s operations in Nigeria is deeply concerning.
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“We’re investigating and will provide updates when we know more,” the statement said.
Source: Premium Times
