The services were blocked in early September as part of measures to help security forces track down armed gangs behind a wave of killings and kidnappings for ransom.

Gunmen in the region are believed to be using mobile phones to co-ordinate their attacks and negotiate for ransom.

The Zamfara state government says it took the decision to restore internet and mobile phone services due to what it called an "encouraging report of peace".

But residents say there is no clear indication that the security situation has improved since the shutting down of the services nearly three months ago.

Residents have also complained that cutting off communication services meant they could not call security services for help when their communities came under attack.

Getting in touch with families and friends was also made extremely difficult by the measure, they said.

Mobile phone services were restored in neighbouring Kaduna state last week.

--BBC--