Nigerian government suspends Twitter after social media platform suspends Nigerian president

On Friday, Nigeria announced that it would be banning Twitter’s operations in its country after the social media platform banned the Nigerian president earlier in the week.

In a press release from the Federal Ministry of Information & Culture, the federal government said that it has "suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria."

"The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence," the statement continues.

The federal government, according to Mohammed, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission to "immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria."

When Reuters approached one on the minister’s aides for more information, they told the outlet to "Wait and see how things will turn out."

"Twitter’s web and mobile applications still reportedly function in the country’s capital Abuja and major city, Lagos," according to Reuters.

Twitter issued a statement to Reuters stating that they were looking into the "deeply concerning" decision from the Nigerian government, and "will provide updates when we know more."

"A spokesperson for Airtel, one of Nigeria's largest mobile carriers, on Friday declined to say whether the company had received any government directives about the suspension," wrote Reuters, adding that "MTN, the largest mobile carrier, did not respond to calls and a message seeking comment."

Twitter banned Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari for 12 hours after he posted a tweet threatening to punish pro-Biafra militant groups for allegedly carrying out attacks. The post was also removed by Twitter.

Eastern Security Network, a pro-Biafran militant group, is part of the Indigenous People of Biafra secession movement, which looks to establish Biafra in Nigeria’s southeastern regions.

"Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Biafra war," Buhari wrote in the now-deleted post, according to The Guardian, referencing the Nigerian civil war. "Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand."

According to Reuters, "Buhari's post threatening to punish groups blamed for attacks on government buildings had violated Twitter's 'abusive behaviour' policy."

Mohammed told reporters in the wake of his ban that Buhari had every right to express his concerns about his ban.

"Twitter may have its own rules, it's not the universal rule," he told reporters. "If Mr. President anywhere in the world feels very bad and concerned about a situation, he is free to express such views."