Feminist Coalition, #EndSARS, Radio Isiaq’s websites blocked in Nigeria

In apparent attacks against those campaigning to police brutality in Nigeria, at least three websites linked to #EndSARS protesters have recently become inaccessible from Nigeria.

On Thursday, the Feminist Coalition website was blocked on Nigerian mobile networks and other internet service providers.

On Friday, attempts to access other #EndSARS related websites such as radioisiaq.com and endsars.com proved futile without the use of a virtual private network.

Radioisiaq.com is a web radio dedicated to carrying the voice of change in Nigeria through direct civic engagement and advocacy.

The online radio station was established after the gruesome murder of Jimoh Isiaq by the police during the protest and named after him.

The platform has been blocked since November 18, according to its Twitter handle.

The unavailability of these websites has further fuelled speculations and theories of a possible takeover of cyberspace by the Nigerian government, in light of the clampdown on protesters witnessed after the #ENDSARS protests last month. Protesters such as Eromosele Adene and others have been forcibly taken away from their homes by security agents. The release of Eromosele came after a harrowing legal tussle and protests for his release happened online, while Imole Ayo is yet to be located since his abduction.

Peoples Gazette reported that the Nigerian government had targeted #EndSARS protesters by freezing bank accounts suspected of holding transactions for the movement, as well as placing notable protesters on a no-fly list.

The Nigerian government and telecom firms have yet to comment on the complications users in Nigeria have been experiencing with the #EndSARS-linked websites.