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Nigeria's Buhari says MTN fuelled Boko Haram insurgency | Nigeria's Buhari says MTN fuelled Boko Haram insurgency |
(35 minutes later) | |
Mobile phone giant MTN fuelled the Islamist-led insurgency in Nigeria by failing to disconnect unregistered sim cards, the Nigerian president has said. | |
Muhammadu Buhari made the comment during a visit to Nigeria by his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma. | Muhammadu Buhari made the comment during a visit to Nigeria by his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma. |
Last year, Nigeria fined the South African-owned firm $3.4bn (£2.7bn) for missing a deadline to disconnect cards. | Last year, Nigeria fined the South African-owned firm $3.4bn (£2.7bn) for missing a deadline to disconnect cards. |
Nigeria believes Boko Haram militants use unregistered sim cards to co-ordinate attacks. | Nigeria believes Boko Haram militants use unregistered sim cards to co-ordinate attacks. |
BBC Nigeria reporter Martin Patience says fine has overshadowed talks in the capital, Abuja, between the leaders of Africa's two largest economies. | BBC Nigeria reporter Martin Patience says fine has overshadowed talks in the capital, Abuja, between the leaders of Africa's two largest economies. |
"You know how the unregistered [sim cards] are being used by terrorists and between 2009 and today, at least 10,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram," President Buhari said at a joint press conference with Mr Zuma. | "You know how the unregistered [sim cards] are being used by terrorists and between 2009 and today, at least 10,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram," President Buhari said at a joint press conference with Mr Zuma. |
Other mobile phone operators complied with a mid-2015 deadline to register all sim cards, but "unfortunately, MTN was very very slow and contributed to the casualties", Mr Buhari added, in his first comments on the issue. | Other mobile phone operators complied with a mid-2015 deadline to register all sim cards, but "unfortunately, MTN was very very slow and contributed to the casualties", Mr Buhari added, in his first comments on the issue. |
Nigeria initially imposed a $5.2bn fine on MTN in October, but brought it down to $3.4bn. | Nigeria initially imposed a $5.2bn fine on MTN in October, but brought it down to $3.4bn. |
Mr Buhari said MTN, which was in talks with Nigeria to reduce the fine further, could make gradual payments, Reuters news agency reports. | Mr Buhari said MTN, which was in talks with Nigeria to reduce the fine further, could make gradual payments, Reuters news agency reports. |
Last month, MTN said it had dropped court action to challenge the fine, and had paid $250m as part of efforts to reach an "amicable settlement". | Last month, MTN said it had dropped court action to challenge the fine, and had paid $250m as part of efforts to reach an "amicable settlement". |
MTN has 231 million subscribers in 22 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. However, Nigeria is its biggest market. | MTN has 231 million subscribers in 22 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. However, Nigeria is its biggest market. |
In September, the company was named as most-admired brand in Africa in the Brand Africa 100 awards, beating Samsung, while it was also awarded the continent's most valuable brand, worth $4.6bn. | In September, the company was named as most-admired brand in Africa in the Brand Africa 100 awards, beating Samsung, while it was also awarded the continent's most valuable brand, worth $4.6bn. |
MTN was South Africa's second mobile operator when it was set up in 1994 after the end of apartheid. | MTN was South Africa's second mobile operator when it was set up in 1994 after the end of apartheid. |
It began its expansion across Africa four years later with operations in Rwanda, Uganda and Swaziland. | It began its expansion across Africa four years later with operations in Rwanda, Uganda and Swaziland. |
The six-year insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria has killed some 17,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million from their homes. | The six-year insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria has killed some 17,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million from their homes. |
Mr Buhari said in December that Boko Haram was "technically" defeated but attacks have continued. | Mr Buhari said in December that Boko Haram was "technically" defeated but attacks have continued. |
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