The Mobile network operator MTN on Tuesday announced the closure of all its offices in Nigeria, but did not provide any reason for the closure while this coming after the eruption of violence at some of its offices on Monday.
Penpushing reports that this was made known by the company in a statement posted on its X handle and advised its customers to explore its digital channels for services, adding that the channels support is available 24 hours.
“Yello customer, please be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July. We are available 24/7 to support you via our digital channels,” the largest mobile network in Nigeria with millions of subscribers wrote
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that MTN, barred the telephone lines of several users on Sunday over concerns arising from linkage of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with their mobile phone numbers.
The affected subscribers in their hundreds on Monday besieged the company’s offices across the country and number of the members of the crowd became violent and threw stones at the building in some states.
Penpushing also reports that following amid chaos, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ordered the immediate reactivation of lines affected in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in a statement, explained that it took the decision because the consumer is its priority, pointing out that reactivated consumers are to note that the exercise is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that the commission in March provided Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) an extension till July 31, to verify all Identity Numbers (NIN) submitted by subscribers with four or fewer SIMs, as well as bar those whose NINs fail verification with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The compulsory linkage began in 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to block calls from unregistered and unlinked lines, while the policy was expected to help the authorities in fighting bandits and terrorists who kidnap and kill innocent people daily, but despite the extension of deadlines, many phone lines are yet to be linked.
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