The Nigerian military has asked both international and local media to stop covering nationwide protests over heightened economic hardships under President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, made the call for a media blackout on the protests during a press briefing on Friday.
“For the media, I want to appeal—I noticed yesterday all the stations are hooked up to the occasion. This is not an election. Don’t give them that coverage,” Mr Musa said.
He added that many of the protesters are attention seekers who want moments in the media.
“Some of them (protesters) are looking for moments to be on the screen. Together, I can assure you we are going to win,” Mr Musa stated.
The Nigerian military’s appeal for a media blackout on the protests comes on the second day of the nationwide demonstrations that have disrupted commercial activities across the country.
Both local and international media have reported developments on the protests, which have seen thousands of Nigerians take to the streets over the worsening cost of living crisis.
On Thursday, Peoples Gazette reported how poor telecom network coverage hampered the dissemination of information as protesters marched on the streets.
Citing sources in telecom companies, The Gazette reported that the NCC and NSA are slowing down internet speed across the country to suppress the flow of information from the protesters to other Nigerians and the outside world.
Not fewer than 11 people were killed on the first day of the nationwide protests over severe economic hardships.
Mr Musa’s call for a media blackout on the protests mirrors the actions taken during the EndSARS protests on October 20, 2020, when electricity was disconnected, and telecom networks were down at the Lekki Toll Gate before soldiers opened live rounds on protesters.
