Nigeria Suspends Twitter Indefinitely, Accuses It Of Double Standards And Supporting Secessionists

The Nigerian government has indefinitely suspended Twitter, just days after it accused the US micro-blogging platform of double standards and supporting the secessionists in the west African country.

Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed announced on Friday (4 June) that the suspension was indefinite, citing "the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence", reports Xinhua news agency.

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

On Wednesday (2 June), the government expressed doubts about Twitter's operations in the country, after it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari who made a reference to the country's 30-month civil war in 1967-1970, warning "those who wanted the government to fail" to desist from fomenting trouble.

"Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigeria civil war. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand," the President tweeted on Tuesday night.

Twitter deleted the President's post Wednesday, following criticisms from some netizens.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)