FG to stop harassment of youths with laptops – Pantami

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Wednesday, said the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), would minimise the harassment of youths carrying laptops by law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Pantami disclosed this to State House correspondents after meeting the President who had earlier signed the Start-Up Bill into law.

There have been reports of young Nigerians being detained and harassed by law enforcement officers who misconstrue them for internet fraudsters upon sighting a laptop at their disposal.

This, among other factors, eventually led to the EndSARS protests of October 2020.

Fielding questions on the issue, Pantami said with Buhari chairing the Council, Nigerians should expect a quicker response to cases of harassment.

The new piece of legislation will also provide a N10bn fund for eligible start-ups nationwide.

Details shortly…