A prolonged standoff between the Kogi State Government and one of Nigeria’s largest telecom service providers, MTN, has left residents in Lokoja and surrounding areas frustrated, as the face-off continues into another week.
The dispute, which began earlier this month, centres around issues related to regulatory compliance and tax arrears. MTN, which operates widely in the region, has faced mounting pressure from the state government, which claims that the telecom giant owes significant amounts in unpaid taxes and levies.
In response, MTN has expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s actions, insisting that the company is fully committed to abiding by all regulations and legal requirements.
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As a result, many Lokoja residents have found themselves at the mercy of a major service disruption. Calls have dropped in and out, internet connectivity has been erratic, and network outages have left users without access to vital communication services. Local businesses, especially those that rely on mobile platforms for transactions, have also been impacted, leading to concerns about the economic toll the dispute may take.
“I rely on my MTN data for work and communication. Now, I can barely get through a call, and my internet is always down. It’s frustrating,” said Fatimah Suleiman, a Lokoja resident and small business owner. Many others have echoed similar sentiments, pointing to the inconvenience and economic hardship the ongoing conflict has caused.
For days now, MTN users in Lokoja have reported an increasingly unreliable network, leading many to seek alternative service providers, even though they remain hopeful for a resolution to the issue.
State officials, on the other hand, have stated that they are within their rights to take action against MTN for what they claim are unresolved financial obligations. According to a representative from the Kogi State Ministry of Finance, “We are simply enforcing the law and ensuring that businesses operating within our jurisdiction comply with the tax laws. This is a legitimate action to safeguard our state’s financial interests.”
As the standoff drags on, residents have expressed growing impatience, calling on both parties to settle the matter quickly to restore essential communication services.
“We need a resolution as soon as possible. The communication blackout is affecting everything, from business operations to personal connections,” said Jibril Musa, another Lokoja resident.
While both MTN and the Kogi State Government continue to hold firm on their positions, many are hopeful that dialogue and negotiation can bring an end to the standoff and restore vital communication services to the state.
Until then, the situation remains unresolved, with residents anxiously awaiting updates on the ongoing dispute.
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