Some residents of Osun State, whose mobile lines were barred by a network provider, MTN, on Monday said they paid as much as N2,000 to unbar their lines.
The affected subscribers told some journalists, who moved around Osogbo, the Osun State capital, monitoring the situation. The journalists also observed that many telecommunications retailers partnering with MTN were collecting as much as N2,000 for the re-registration to link barred lines and the National Identification Number of the affected customers.
NCC orders immediate reactivation of all blocked lines
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has directed telecommunications operators to immediately restore all blocked phone lines due to non-linkage of National Identification Numbers to SIM cards.
This directive was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, and shared with the media.
The telecom industry regulator explained that this directive was in response to the widespread disruption caused by the blockages and to prioritise consumer convenience.
Over the weekend, many telecom subscribers were unable to access their phone lines after failing to verify their NINs with their SIM cards, resulting in their numbers being blocked in compliance with NIN-SIM linkage regulations.
This development led to massive outrage on Monday as subscribers stormed MTN offices across the country, demanding the reactivation of their blocked phone lines.
“The consumer is our priority; therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the Commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend, in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs,” the regulator said.
The mandatory linkage of NINs with SIMs, initiated in December 2020, aimed to enhance national security and ensure an accurate SIM ownership database. Despite several deadline extensions, including the latest to July 31, 2024, many lines remain unverified.
Since December 2023, the commission has reviewed the deadline multiple times. Initially, April 15, 2024, was set as the deadline for the full network, barring subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details.
This deadline was then extended to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified.
Despite these extensions, many phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs, the NCC lamented.
The regulator clarified that the affected consumers should note that this reactivation is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.
NCC urged all subscribers who have not yet verified their SIMs to do so promptly to maintain access to their services.
The extortion of subscribers occurred mostly in Olaiya Area, Fagbewesa Street, Olonkoro and Igbona areas in Osogbo. The residents were seen queuing at retailers’ outlets after payment of N2,000 for the service.
According to The Punch, a farmer based in Osogbo, Mr. Saka Ayodeji, while waiting to be attended to at a retailer’s outlet in Igbona, said he paid a sum of N2,000 for the service since he could not bear the rigour of having the line unbarred at MTN Connect Store, where it may not attract payment of any fee.
He said, ” I was told to pay N2,000, and I don’t mind. I went to the MTN state office around Estate, Osogbo, where so many people were waiting to do their re-registration. I opted for this place because we have less crowd.”
Similarly, two other residents, who shared their experinces after they were re-registered at a retail outlet in Olaiya Area, both lamented the hardship Nigerians were exposed to after their lines were barred during the weekend.
Confirming payment of N2,000 each for the service rendered to them at the retail outlet where they were re-registered, Kajogbola said they were also told that the line would become active again after 24 hours.
However, some angry residents blocked the Oke Fia/Dele-Yes-Sir dual carriageway in Osogbo, the state capital, over the alleged refusal of MTN officials to attend to them early, following the barring of their mobile lines.
Some of the displeased customers residing in the state, who spoke to the PUNCH at the MTN Connect Store, which serves as the head office of the organisation in the state, located along the Oke Fia/Dele-Yes-Sir dual carriageway in Osogbo, said they came from different towns across the state when their lines were barred from the network.
They, however, said despite the fact that some of them arrived at the premises as early as 1:00 am, the officials of the organisation did not attend to their complaint early enough.
The telcos, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, earlier clarified that the disconnection was unconnected to the August 1 protest.
Telecom operators explained that this harmonization process had been underway for several months and aimed to enhance the accuracy and integrity of the National SIM registration database.
“Customers who had their lines blocked recently are those whom their service providers found a mismatch between their records on both databases.
“We advise such customers to contact their service providers through communicated channels for resolution of the issue,” the group explained.
ALTON emphasized its commitment to supporting government efforts and safeguarding communication rights, data privacy, and security. (Additional Reports by Agency)
