Internet and phone communications have reportedly been shut down in the northwestern state of Katsina.
This came about six days after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) directed telecommunications companies in the country to cut off phone networks for two weeks in Zamfara State.
The NCC had said that the move was necessary, “to enable relevant security agencies to carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state”.
The network shutdown has now been extended to President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina.
No fewer than 13 Local Government Areas in the state were affected by the development, reports Daily Trust.
They are Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Safana, Dutsin-Ma, Kurfi, Funtua, Bakori and Malumfashi.
Meanwhile, the development came about three weeks after suspected bandits reportedly kidnapped more than 60 people during an attack on Rini community in Zamfara State.
At a recent press conference, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, disclosed that the state government “requested for the closing down of all networks in the state” in order to “ensure the crashing of the bandits”.