Telecoms giant MTN has closed all its stores and service centres across Nigeria in response to widespread subscriber outrage after the network provider barred their lines on Sunday.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The backlash erupted after a viral video surfaced on social media on Monday, showing a mob destroying a barricade fence outside an MTN office.
The clip depicted a large crowd of angry subscribers vandalising the telecommunications company’s office in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State.
A group of disgruntled MTN subscribers took their frustration to the company’s FESTAC office in Lagos,, on Monday, damaging the office fence.
The incident was… pic.twitter.com/D70yD6RhIP
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) July 29, 2024
This reaction was sparked by the network blocking subscribers due to mismatches between their National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM registration.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, addressed the situation on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of FESTAC and his team had successfully restored normalcy and peace at the scene. Hundeyin added, “This should not be the way to go!”
In response to the escalating situation, MTN announced on Tuesday that it would be shutting its shops nationwide.
“Yello customer, please be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July 2024,” read a statement from the company on X.
Backstory
Thousands of Nigerians woke up on Sunday to find their SIM cards blocked by MTN Group Limited, causing widespread anger.
MTN said the affected customers had not linked their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM cards, as required by Nigerian rules.
In response, many upset customers gathered at MTN offices in major cities, including Osogbo in Osun State, Ikeja and Festac Town in Lagos State, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, and Warri in Delta State.
Viral videos show protesters expressing their frustration and anger over the sudden disconnection. These protests highlight the disruption and demand for a quick solution to the issue.
This action follows pressure from Nigerian regulators for telecom companies to enforce the NIN-linkage policy, which started in December 2020.
In February 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told telecom companies to block customers who did not link their phone numbers to their NIN by February 28, 2024. This deadline was extended to April 15, 2024, and then to July 31, 2024.
