FACT CHECK: Is Nigeria Switching On 'Deadly' 5G In Lagos?

 

A message on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sites has been making the rounds since at least last week, claiming that Nigeria is "switching on 5G in Lagos".

In a massively forwarded WhatsApp message seen by AllNews, the 'strange deaths' in Kano State were linked to the controversial 5G.

See the forwarded message below:

Tell anybody you know in Lagos to stay indoor from Sunday till Tuesday or Wednesday o. Please, please.
They are switching on 5G in Lagos on Sunday/ Monday/ Tuesday. That was what happened in Kano last time that hundreds of people died. It was not coronavirus. Tell everyone you know to stay home for a few days please. Thank u. May God continue to protect us 

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'Mysterious' deaths in Kano

Recall AllNews had reported recently that Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria's minister of health, said the cause of the mysterious deaths in Kano state as well other northern states is still unknown.

AllNews can confirm that hundreds have died in Kano, Kastina and Jigawa states in recent weeks.

Although experts have speculated that the deaths might have resulted from the rising cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection recorded in the states, there is no official evidence to support it.

As of 15 May 2020, more than 750 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Kano, resulting in more than 30 deaths. More than 80 people have recovered. This, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Authorities switching on 5G in Lagos?

The agency charged with the responsibility of regulating the supply of telecommunications services, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had in a press statement issued on May 10, which was signed by Dr. Henry Chukwudumeme Nkemadu its Director, Public Affairs quashed rumours that 5G licenses have been issued in the country.

The Commission had severally stated that there is no deployment of 5G in Nigeria at the moment.

The NCC back in November 2019 approved a trial test for 5G for a period of three months and the trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, said that ‘’the trial among others was to study and observe any health or security challenges the 5G network might present. Relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies were invited to participate during the trial.’’

The NCC had provided clarifications through Frequently Asked Questions on 5G in view of the recent developments in which misleading materials with no proven evidence are being circulated to link COVID-19 with the 5G technology.

READ ALSO: The Truth About 5G And Coronavirus In Nigeria

What AllNews is aware of

There is a trust issue between the government and the governed in Nigeria. Reason, the masses do not usually believe the government.

However, as a matter of fact, the laying of additional fibre optic cables within Lagos and other parts of the country is to strengthen the existing 3G and 4G infrastructure to provide robust and pervasive telecoms infrastructure to improve network performance - not for 5G purposes!

5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology, which is an improvement of today's 4G technology with enhanced capabilities.

5G technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.

License for the 5G has not been issued in Nigeria and in fact, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) cannot switch on such technology.

Therefore, that there will be switching on of 5G in Lagos or the nation in its entirety, is false, misleading and complete #FakeNews!