Residents of Kebbi State are currently experiencing a widespread telecom network blackout following simultaneous fibre optic cable cuts affecting major operators MTN and 9mobile. The disruption began around 7:09 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, and has left millions of people in Kebbi, as well as neighboring Sokoto and Zamfara states, unable to make calls, send messages, or access mobile data.
Affected communities in Kebbi include Birnin Kebbi, Aliero, Argungu, Bagudo, Dange Shuni, and many others. The outage has caused significant frustration among residents, students, and businesses. For instance, students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto reported difficulties communicating, with some forced to rely on alternative networks like Airtel or remain isolated.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed the fibre cuts, which have become a persistent problem for Nigerian telecom operators, costing billions annually due to repairs and lost revenue. Industry experts attribute the frequent fibre cuts to reckless construction, unregulated excavation, and occasional sabotage.
MTN Nigeria has yet to issue an official statement on the blackout, and the cause of the fibre cuts remains unclear. Meanwhile, affected residents lament the impact on daily life, business operations, and emergency communications.
