Telecom: Reps urge NCC to shut down 3 Sokoto LGAs

The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to shut down telecommunications service in three local governments in Sokoto.

The three local governments are Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta on the borders of Zamfara State.

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The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Bodinga/Dange-Shuni/Tureta federal constituency of Sokoto State, Balarabe Kakale (PDP, Sokoto) at the plenary yesterday.

He said there had been acute increase in the deterioration of security situation in the three local governments in his constituency in the last few weeks.

According to him, the situation climaxed with the murder of innocent people by bandits in Galma, Dutse, Buolere and Hausare communities in Wababe district between September 1 and 3.

He said, “This was followed by another set of coordinated attacks on the communities of Jibuwal, Fajaldu, Waramu, Bissalam, Illelar Bissalam of Dange district and Tauma of Bodinga district between September 6 and 8, followed by another brazen attack on Lambar Tureta of Tureta local government in the late hours of September 8 to the early morning hours of September 9, resulting in the death of about 10 innocent farmers, traders, students and civil servants.

Kakale noted that, the three local governments, Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta share borders with Bakura, Maradun and Shinkafi local governments in Zamfara State where the heavy onslaught on bandits by the military and recent shutdown of telecoms services among others were forcing them to flee into neighbouring state.

The lawmaker said as a result of the influx of bandits and their nefarious activities, more than 100 households with over 500 people had been displaced from Tureta and Dange-Shuni, which had resulted in humanitarian crisis in Sokoto State.

The House called on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) to support the victims in their relocations, resettlement and other assistance while calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the victims and displaced persons.