By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Correspondent Lagos

The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)  has confirmed that sequel to the decision of the Nigerian Government to suspend Twitter operations in the country, it has received ‘formal instructions’ industry umpire,  the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to suspend access to Twitter.

ALTON information to which Cyber Era NG is privy, and signed by its Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and  Executive Secretary Gbolahan Awonuga, respectively, says  ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles.

Justifying the regulator’s remit to initiate the formal instructions requesting its memebers to suspend access to Twitter accounts, ALTON said: “Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates;  our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the industry regulator.

We will continue to engage all the relevant authorities and stakeholders and will act as may be further directed by the NCC.

We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.

As an industry, we endorse the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online. This includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications.”