By 
By Marozoka Oruame
The Nigerian government has suspended Twitter two days after the micro blogging site deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari for violating its rules.
The suspension is indefinite. But Abuja gives no clear information on how the suspension will proceed.
As reactions mount over the government’s decision, Facebook has deleted the same post for violating Facebook’s Community Standards against inciting violence in what appears to be pitting Abuja against the social media giants.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who announced the suspension of Twitter’s operation in Nigeria today in Abuja, had yesterday accused the platform of interference in the country’s internal affairs.
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The president had tweeted on Tuesday: “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian 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 tweet was considered provocative many within the social media community.
In a statement signed by Special Assistant to the President, Segun Adeyemi, the minister said the federal government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all over-the-top (OTT) and social media operators in Nigeria.
According to Statista. as of January 2021, Nigeria had approximately 33 million active social media users.
