Civil society groups in Nigeria suspend protests and report TikTok disruptions

More than 20 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kaduna State have suspended a planned peaceful protest for October 1. The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations cited concerns that criminal elements might hijack the demonstration, potentially leading to violent confrontations between protesters and security agencies.

Concurrently, CSOs have raised alarms regarding an unexplained disruption of TikTok in Northern Nigeria, specifically affecting Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, and Sokoto. The disruption, which began around September 14, 2026, has lasted several weeks. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, investigations suggest the issue is not limited to a single internet service provider, as access is only possible for some via virtual private networks (VPNs). The groups are calling for transparency from authorities and telecommunications providers regarding whether the blackout is a technical failure or an intentional restriction.