Telecommunication companies said they have not deactivated any network subscriber as some subscribers claimed the network providers have started blocking their SIM cards before the deadline for linking National Identity Number.

The network providers disclosed that they are all working in line with the directives given to them by the Federal Government and Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), and by no means has any SIM card been blocked.

 The Senior Manager, External Relations of MTN Nigeria, Funso Aina, said “It is not true that we have started blocking SIM cards not linked with NIN.”

Also, the Vice President, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, disclosed that “Airtel Nigeria is committed to ensuring total compliance with the directives of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission on linking NIN with phone numbers. We have not blocked any customer and we will not block any customer at this point in line with the directives.”

Recall that the Federal Government gave deadlines to network subscribers to link their NIN to their SIM card(s).  Subscribers with NIN have January 19 as deadline to link their NIN with their SIM cards while until February 9 is the ultimatum given to subscribers without NIN, nothing that failure to comply would lead to deactivation of network user’s SIM card(s).

Due to large crowds at NIN registration centres of the National Identity Management Commission, Nigerians have accused the government of exposing the citizens to COVID-19 risk amidst the second wave of the pandemic.