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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Residents of Udawa village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have raised alarm over what they described as a three-year digital blackout.
The residents said the prolonged absence of mobile network coverage has crippled education, commerce, healthcare delivery, and family communication thereby further deepening the socio-economic challenges faced by the area.
According to them, students in Udawa have been cut off from online learning platforms and digital research tools, traders are unable to conduct electronic transactions, while families remain isolated from relatives within and outside the state.
“For three years, Udawa has lived in digital exile.
“Our young people cannot innovate, teachers cannot access teaching resources, traders cannot do business effectively, and health workers are unable to communicate during emergencies,” one of the residents, Khalifa Khalifa lamented on Friday, January 16.
He appealed directly to Governor Uba Sani, the Nigerian Communications Commission, and telecom operators to intervene, stressing that access to communication services was no longer a luxury but a basic necessity of the time.
The network shutdown may not be unconnected to the long-standing security challenges in parts of Chikun and neighbouring Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, which have experienced repeated banditry attacks over the years.
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Udawa lies along the Birnin Gwari axis, by Buruku, a wide and wild forest that has been ‘hime’ to ruthless terrorists terrorising Kaduna, Katsina, Niger States.
These security challenges led to population displacement, disruption of farming activities, closure of markets, and heavy economic losses across the area.
While they recognise the need for security measures, they argue that the prolonged communication blackout has worsened vulnerability, rather than improved safety.
“Without network coverage, communities are unable to report emergencies promptly or seek help when under threat.
“The absence of communication has further weakened resilience and slowed economic recovery,” Khalifa added.
The community, however, urged authorities to explore secure and regulated restoration of telecom services, noting that many conflict-affected communities across the country have retained connectivity while addressing security concerns through intelligence-led policing and community engagement.
They warned that continued silence could permanently marginalise young people, deny them their digital rights and undermine efforts to restore normal economic and social life in the area.
