The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against its planned shutdown of telecommunication services on March 1st, intended to protest the recent 50% tariff increase.
The NSCDC, responsible for protecting critical national infrastructure, including telecommunications, expressed concerns about the potential risks to national security and public safety.
The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) also opposed the NLC’s planned boycott and infrastructure shutdown, arguing that such actions are misguided and could harm the industry.
The NLC had announced its intention to shut down telecom operations nationwide if the Nigerian Communications Commission’s tariff hike was not reversed by the end of February.
This directive included a daily boycott of major telecom providers like MTN, Airtel, and Glo between 11 am and 2 pm, starting February 13th. The NLC, in a statement, accused telecom operators of breaching public trust by implementing the hike before the conclusion of a review panel’s deliberations.
They also criticized the government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation, arguing that the tariff increase betrayed an earlier agreement to review the proposed hike.
The NSCDC, however, urged the NLC to reconsider the protest, warning that disrupting telecom services could expose the nation to criminal activities and compromise security. NSCDC Spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, stated that the agency will not allow any action that jeopardizes national security.
He revealed that state commandants have been instructed to maintain constant surveillance at telecom facilities, with a nationwide deployment of officers, including undercover operatives, to protect these assets. He cited the importance of telecommunications to national security, warning that any disruption could lead to vandalism and other crimes.
Afolabi also stated that intelligence suggests the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums, justifying the NSCDC’s heightened presence. The NSCDC appealed for dialogue and expressed hope that the NLC would reconsider its position.
PTECSSAN criticized the NLC for its planned protest, stating that the union acted “in error” by making decisions without consulting the telecom sector union.
They argued that the increase is necessary to prevent the industry’s collapse, citing rising operational costs due to the removal of fuel subsidies. ATCON also urged the suspension of the rally, pointing out the lack of formal engagement with telecom operators before the NLC’s decision. ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, argued that the issue is an industry-wide challenge, not just a labor issue, and that actions disrupting the industry are not the solution.
He emphasized that telecom companies are focused on improving services for subscribers. Funmi Sessi, the Lagos State NLC Chairperson, rejected the NSCDC’s warnings, stating that labor would not be intimidated. She emphasized the importance of the issue and questioned the NSCDC’s authority to dictate to them. She also criticized security forces for attempting to intimidate workers, asserting their right to protest.
