Fuel Scarcity and MTN Line Blockings: A Government Strategy to Thwart Protests?

As Nigeria gears up for a planned “Day of Rage” protest, an unsettling trend has emerged: a sudden and excruciating fuel scarcity paired with mass blocking of MTN customers’ lines. Is this a mere coincidence, or is it a calculated strategy by Tinubu’s government to undermine the impending protest?

On Sunday morning, I awoke to find my MTN line unexpectedly blocked. I couldn’t make calls or access data despite being connected to WiFi. Confused, I dialled *310# to check my balance and was met with an infuriating message: “Your number has been blocked. Please contact customer service.” To my surprise, I later discovered that I wasn’t alone; MTN had enacted a mass disconnection of subscribers, leaving many wondering why the telecom giant would risk public outrage with such drastic measures.

The motive behind MTN’s sudden disconnections raises eyebrows, especially since many affected lines had already been linked to users’ National Identification Numbers (NIN). MTN apparently acted on a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), but the timing is suspect. Why would they implement mass disconnections just as tensions rise ahead of the planned protests?

Compounding this confusion is the shocking fuel scarcity that has gripped major cities like Lagos and Abuja. Reports suggest that NNPC depots are running dry, leading to an unprecedented spike in fuel prices. This situation starkly contrasts with earlier assurances from the NNPC that there was an ample supply of over 1.5 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to last for more than 30 days.

In a hastily released statement, NNPC attributed the fuel shortage to “hitches in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.” However, this explanation needs to be more credible and raises questions about what could cause such widespread disruption and instant price hikes.

The coincidence of these two events—MTN’s mass line blockings and the fuel crisis—has led to speculation that they may be part of a broader strategy to thwart the planned protests. Bola Tinubu‘s government has already employed various tactics to suppress dissent, including leveraging traditional rulers to stand against the protest and incentivizing individuals to participate in pro-government rallies.

Despite these efforts, Nigerians appear undeterred. The government’s tactics may suggest desperation, as they seem intent on disrupting communication channels and distracting citizens from mobilizing for the protest. By targeting MTN, which boasts the largest subscriber base in Nigeria, the government could effectively undermine coordination among protest organizers.

The implications of this strategy are troubling. With many subscribers struggling to resolve their blocked lines in the lead-up to the protest, it’s plausible that communication disruptions will hinder organization and mobilization efforts. Moreover, the NCC’s recent directive to MTN to unblock affected numbers seems like an attempt at damage control, reflecting the growing backlash from the public.

Whether viewed as a conspiracy theory or a stark reality, fuel scarcity and mass disconnections during a critical moment in Nigerian politics cannot be ignored. It raises significant concerns about the lengths the government might go to suppress dissent and maintain control. As the planned “Day of Rage” approaches, the people of Nigeria are left to navigate a complicated landscape of government actions that may very well be designed to silence their voices.