As Nigeria prepares for its planned “Day of Rage” protests, a worrying trend has emerged: sudden and painful fuel shortages and massive line blackouts for MTN customers. Is this a coincidence, or a calculated strategy by the Tinubu government to sabotage the upcoming protests?
I woke up on Sunday morning to find my MTN line suddenly blocked. I couldn’t make calls or access data despite being connected to WiFi. Confused, I dialed *310# to check my balance and received a frustrating message: “Your number has been blocked. Please contact customer service.” To my surprise, I later discovered that I wasn’t the only one; MTN had taken the unusual step of disconnecting subscribers en masse, leaving many wondering why the telecom giant would risk public outrage with such drastic measures.
The motive behind MTN’s sudden disconnection raised eyebrows, especially since many of the affected lines were linked to users’ National Identification Numbers (NINs). MTN was apparently acting on instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), but the timing is suspicious. Why would they carry out a mass disconnection just as tensions were rising ahead of planned protests?
Adding to the confusion is the shocking fuel shortage that has gripped major cities like Lagos and Abuja. Reports indicate that NNPC’s stocks are running low, leading to unprecedented spikes in fuel prices. This is in stark contrast to earlier assurances from NNPC that there is ample supply of over 1.5 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to last for over 30 days.
In a hastily issued statement, NNPC attributed the fuel shortage to “a breakdown in the discharge operations of some vessels.” However, this explanation needs more credibility and raises questions about what could have caused such widespread disruption and immediate price increases.
The coincidence of these two events—the mass blocking of MTN and the fuel crisis—has led to speculation that they may be part of a broader strategy to thwart planned protests. Bola Tinubu’s administration has used a variety of tactics to suppress dissent, including using traditional rulers to oppose protests and encouraging individuals to participate in pro-government demonstrations.
Despite these efforts, Nigerians appear undeterred. The government’s tactics may be a sign of desperation, as they appear intent on disrupting communication channels and distracting people from mobilizing for the protest. By targeting MTN, which boasts the largest subscriber base in Nigeria, the government could undermine coordination among protest organizers.
The implications of this strategy are worrying. With many subscribers struggling to get their blocked lines resolved ahead of the protest, it is possible that the disruption to communications will hamper efforts to organise and mobilise. Furthermore, the NCC’s recent directive to MTN to unblock affected numbers appears to be an attempt at damage control, reflecting the growing public backlash.
Whether viewed as conspiracy theory or harsh reality, the fuel shortages and mass outages at a critical time in Nigerian politics cannot be ignored. They raise significant concerns about the lengths to which the government can go to suppress dissent and maintain control. As the planned “Day of Rage” approaches, Nigerians are left to navigate the complex landscape of government actions that may be designed to silence their voices.
