The Katsina state government has ordered the restoration of telecoms services in ten of the 17 local government areas heavily affected by banditry and terrorism.

ALL NEWS NIGERIA earlier reported that the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, considering the rising security challenges in the state, had signed into law, a crime prevention order that suspended telephone services in 17 local government areas, amongst other security measures in the state, to address the menace.

However, Alhaji Abdu Labaran, the governor’s media director, in a statement on Friday said,  “Gov. Masari has written to the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC), requesting it to restore telephone services in ten of the 17 LGAs affected by the ban, which came into force about four months ago.”

Labaran identified the ten local government areas where the ban has been lifted to include: Kurfi, Dutsinma, Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi, Dandume, Bakori, Funtua, Kafur, and Danja.

However, he said telecom services remain banned in the following seven local governments: Faskari, Sabuwa, Batsari, Safana, Kankara, Danmusa, and Jibia.

According to Labaran, the state government, “decided to suspend the ban in the ten local governments as a result of the return to near normalcy, even as efforts have remained on the front burner to ensure maximum return of peace in every part of the state.”