Nigerians are criticising MTN for switching off the Internet around Lekki on Tuesday night, just as soldiers were opening fire on protesters in the Lagos neighbourhood.

Citizens were desperate to send out information from the network giant during the shooting, but were frustrated by an erratic reception at the critical hour.

At least nine people were killed during the attack, which Nigerian soldier falsely denied despite video and thousands of witnesses.

MTN sought understanding from Nigerians hours later, saying it was a breakdown of its power supply. But a Twitter user who said he had worked as a contractor for the provider contradicted the claim.

MTN has now deleted its tweet, but the comment underneath by the ‘engineer’ is now here.