Amid rising tensions over a contentious 50 percent hike in telecommunications tariffs, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against its planned nationwide shutdown of telecom services on March 1. The agency underscored the importance of telecom infrastructure to national security and vowed to prevent any disruptions that could pose a threat.
The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria have also opposed the NLC’s proposed action, stating that it is ill-advised and could negatively impact the sector.
NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi, speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, confirmed that security operatives have been deployed to telecom base stations to thwart any unlawful activity by protesters. The corps, responsible for safeguarding national infrastructure, expressed concern over the security implications of the planned protest.
The NLC had declared its intent to shut down telecom operations nationwide if the Nigerian Communications Commission failed to reverse the tariff hike by the end of February. The union also urged Nigerians to boycott services from major providers like MTN, Airtel, and Glo daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. throughout February.
In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, the union accused telecom companies of breaching public trust by implementing the tariff increase before the conclusion of a review panel’s deliberations. The NLC also criticized the government for failing to shield citizens from corporate exploitation.
The NSCDC, however, urged the NLC to reconsider its stance, warning that disrupting telecom services could expose the country to security risks and criminal activities. Afolabi stressed that the agency would not permit any action that compromises national security.
He disclosed that state commandants had been instructed to maintain constant surveillance at telecom sites, with nationwide deployments of officers, including intelligence operatives, to safeguard these critical facilities. The NSCDC further warned that the planned protest could be hijacked by hoodlums, leading to vandalism and unrest.
“The NSCDC commandant-general has directed state commandants to sustain 24-hour surveillance around telecom masts,” Afolabi stated. “We have also deployed officers, including undercover operatives, to prevent any form of sabotage against critical national infrastructure.”
The agency reiterated its call for dialogue as the best approach to resolving the dispute, urging the NLC to abandon its planned action. Afolabi added that while peaceful protests are within the law, past experiences necessitate caution to avoid security threats.
“We will not allow any action that could destabilize national security or the economy. Similar protests in the past turned violent, and we will not permit miscreants to take advantage of the situation,” he warned. “Anyone found engaging in unlawful activities will face legal consequences.”
The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria also criticized the NLC’s decision, arguing that the tariff hike is necessary to prevent a collapse of the industry. Secretary-General Abdullahi Okonu stated that the NLC acted “in error” by failing to consult telecom sector unions before making its decision.
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“Had the Congress Leadership reached out to us, we could have provided insights into the challenges affecting the industry and helped them make a more informed decision,” Okonu wrote in a letter to the NLC.
He acknowledged concerns over the tariff increase’s impact on consumers but insisted it was unavoidable due to rising operational costs, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidies, which has driven up expenses in maintaining telecom infrastructure.
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) also urged the NLC to suspend its protest plans, emphasizing that no formal discussions had been held between the union and telecom operators before the decision was made. ATCON President Tony Emoekpere condemned the proposed telecom boycott and infrastructure shutdown, calling for constructive engagement instead of disruptive action.
