Telecommunication companies deactivate twitter in Nigeria after government ban

Nigerians have opted for the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to circumvent the suspension of Twitter by the Federal Government.

On Friday, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, announced the suspension of the social media platform’s operation in Nigeria.

Information Minister Lai Mohammed said the government had acted because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

The ban was subsequently followed by telecom operators in the country who deactivated twitter on their networks by 12 midnight in Nigeria.

This may not be unconnected with the decision of government to ban activities of twitter in the country following the deletion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet, which the microblogging site deemed offensive.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari posted a message to his account on Tuesday which threatened an ethnic group in the southeast of the country.

Twitter deleted the post on Wednesday, saying it was abusive – and the Nigerian government announced the impending ban of the website on Friday.

The full tweet from President Buhari said: “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”

NewsWireNGR checks reveals as at the early hours of Saturday, Twitter’s website was inaccessible in Nigeria on some mobile carriers, while its app and website worked on others.

Reactions as the twitter ban takes effect in Nigeria.