Metro
Why Shutting Down Internet to Fight Kidnapping is Wrong
By Joel Popoola
Nigerians may not object to internet shutdowns to stop kidnapping. But did we object to SARS being set up to stop robbery?
No-one would object to the government doing everything in its power to stop the kidnapping gangs terrorising Nigeria’s northern regions and tarnishing our international reputation.
That’s why the residents of Zamfara seem to be broadly supportive of the week-long internet shutdown, initiated as part of a recent security crackdown.
More than nine million Zamfarans were cut off from the internet for several days, as security forces hunted for the kidnap-for-ransom squads who have been plaguing the areas.
“I’m in full support of the ban” one resident told CNN. “Before now, everyone has been living in fear because of the bandits.”
But no-one would object to the idea of specialist police unit being set up to tackle robbery either.
And we all know what happened with SARS.
Internet and social media shutdowns are becoming a more and more pervasive tactic of African leaders stemming and suppressing the flow of information and opinion online – commonly during elections.
These shutdowns are self-defeating, leading to more – not less –unrest, not to mention human rights violations (and international condemnations), elections lacking in credibility at home and abroad, and as we have seen with Nigeria’s disastrous attempts at banning Twitter – economic loss.
We cannot fall into the trap of accepting dangerous measures when they are deployed to deliver desirable ends. This makes it more likely we will instinctively accept if they are used to destroy democracy.
Think of it as frogs in boiling water. If you put a frog in boiling water it will jump out. If you put it in cold water and heat it to boiling it will do nothing until it is too late.
At the digital democracy campaign I lead we have previously called for Nigeria to show continental leadership and amend our constitution to guarantee that our citizens will never have their access to the internet unreasonably or unavoidably restricted.
We are doing that again now.
Nations such as Greece and Costa Rica have already taken this step. But we could be the first in Africa.
This simple move could have a profoundly positive impact on public trust in Nigerian democracy too – trust which study after study has shown to be worryingly low.
If you need proof, just look at the recently published results of a major survey conducted by the African Polling Institute.
The study found that 63% Nigerians scored Federal Government “poor” on fight against corruption and 53% of our citizens believe that impunity thrives in the current administration. 83% also believe impunity amongst government officials is ‘increasing’.
The survey also found social cohesion to be under average in Nigerian. And an internet-protection clause in our constitution could improve that too.
As I have previously said, just think of the impact if Nigerian politicians of all parties and ethnicities came together as one to say the same thing. In 2021, and beyond, internet access is a fundamental human right. And if we put that in our construction we are saying loudly and clearly this: Though we believe in different things, we are all committed to the same democratic values. And we are enshrining this value in law.
At the digital democracy campaign, our primary aim is to employ digital technology to improve Nigeria’s democracy.
We have created a free app – Rate Your Leader – which puts verified voters in direct contact with their elected leaders allowing them to build two-way relationships of trust and transparency and to work together to improve both our communities and our country.
Rate Your Leader lets politicians know what is happening in their areas and what matters most to the people who elect them. It also allows voters to get important information directly from local leaders.
If you have leaders that voters trust, feel connected to, believe share their values and who can demonstrate they are immediately responsive to the needs of the people who elect them, you can build a co-operative collaborative nation, united in the national interest.
This kind of two-way communication, built on honesty and transparency, is what unites us as a nation and let us work together to build a better future. This is the communication democracy needs in the digital age.
Not internet shutdowns.
Joel Popoola is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, digital democracy campaigner and is creator of the free Rate Your Leader app. He can be reached via @JOPopoola
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a commercial bus operated by GUO Transport along the Benn-Ore expressway, killing the driver and abducting several passengers in what underscores Nigeria’s deepening insecurity on major highways.
Reports indicate that the assailants ambushed the South East-bound vehicle, opened fire on the driver, who died at the scene, and subsequently whisked away passengers to an unknown destination.
The incident is believed to have occurred along a notorious stretch of the highway linking the South-West to the South-South, long plagued by banditry and abductions.
While official confirmation from security agencies is expected, local sources and a circulating video showed that passengers might have forcefully been taken into nearby forests, a tactic commonly employed by kidnapping syndicates operating along the corridor. Similar attacks in the past have involved mass abductions, with victims later released after ransom payments.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, on Thursday paid a high-profile courtesy visit to the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), where he lauded the agency’s operational efficiency, technological advancement, and grassroots-driven policing model.
Dr. Ogunsan in company of the fund’s Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis were received at the LNSA headquarters by the agency’s General Manager, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, alongside top officials and personnel. In a ceremonious display underscoring the importance of the visit, the LSSTF boss was accorded a mounted guard of honour. He was also decorated with LNSA Medal of Honour and presented with a commemorative lapel pin in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Lagos’ security architecture.
The visit featured an extensive tour of the agency’s facilities, during which Dr. Ogunsan inspected a range of modern security assets, including surveillance drones, body-worn cameras, and other high-tech equipment deployed to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response operations.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, established by the Lagos State Government as a community-based security outfit, plays a critical role in complementing conventional law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police. Its core mandate includes grassroots intelligence gathering, routine patrols, crime prevention, and fostering peaceful coexistence within communities. Officers of the agency, largely drawn from the local population, leverage their deep knowledge of their respective neighbourhoods to monitor suspicious activities, mediate disputes, and provide actionable intelligence to security agencies.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Ogunsan expressed admiration for the strides recorded under Dr. Oyekan’s leadership, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of the agency’s community policing framework.
“The strength of the LNSA lies in its people-oriented approach. Having officers who live and serve within their communities builds trust, enhances intelligence gathering, and ultimately strengthens public safety,” he said. “What we have seen here today reflects strategic investment, innovation, and a clear commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the LSSTF to sustaining support for the Lagos Neighborhood Safely Agency (LNSA) and other security agencies across the state, noting that security remains a critical pillar for economic growth, social stability, and investor confidence in Lagos.
In his response, Dr. Oyekan expressed appreciation for the continued partnership and support that the agency has enjoyed over the years from the LSSTF, describing it as instrumental to the agency’s operational successes. He reiterated that the agency’s neighbourhood-based policing structure which is anchored on local familiarity and collaboration remains central to its mission of proactive crime prevention and effective security delivery.
The visit highlights the growing synergy between key security stakeholders in Lagos State, in a bid to strengthen intelligence-led and community-driven strategies to address evolving security challenges in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub.
Adron Homes and Properties Limited delivered a commanding performance at the grand finale of the 2026 Ibadan Cultural Festival, firmly establishing its dominance as Nigeria’s leading real estate brand. At the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, the company did not just sponsor the event, it took control of the narrative, transforming the cultural celebration into a powerful showcase of brand strength, innovation, and market authority.
With the presence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, alongside a distinguished assembly of traditional rulers, high chiefs, and top government dignitaries, Adron Homes leveraged the high-profile platform to reinforce its influence at the intersection of culture, community, and modern development. The royal commendation from the Olubadan, who openly praised the company’s contribution, further cemented Adron’s growing stature as a key driver of cultural and socio-economic advancement.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, projected a bold and uncompromising vision, emphasizing that Adron Homes is not just building houses but creating ecosystems where heritage, lifestyle, and modern living seamlessly converge. She reaffirmed that the company’s presence in Ibadan is strategically positioned to redefine the city’s residential landscape while embedding the brand deeply within the cultural fabric of its people.
Adron Homes’ activation proved to be one of the most dominant features of the festival. The “Adron Experience” zone became the epicenter of engagement, attracting massive crowds through immersive brand interactions, including the viral 360-degree video booth that drove widespread digital visibility. Simultaneously, the Ibadan Sales Team executed a results-driven engagement strategy, converting high foot traffic into real business opportunities while showcasing Adron’s expanding portfolio of modern, world-class estates transforming the city’s iconic skyline.
By seamlessly integrating its “Home Festival” concept into the cultural celebration, Adron Homes blurred the line between tradition and innovation, delivering an unmatched brand experience that competitors could not rival. As the festival drew to a close, one message was unmistakable, Adron Homes did not just participate; it dominated, setting a new benchmark for corporate cultural investment and reinforcing its position as the brand defining the future of real estate in Nigeria.
