PICTORIAL: Subscribers besiege MTN offices over sim blockage

A large crowd of aggrieved subscribers have besieged MTN offices across the country to express their frustration and disappointment over the telecom company’s blocking of phone numbers. Some of the subscribers, in the early hours of Monday, July 29, 2024, arrived at the MTN offices with long queues formed at the entrances.

This is a reaction to the directive of the Nigeria Communications Commission to disconnect Subscriber Identity Module numbers (telephone lines) not linked to the National Identification Numbers, which was scheduled to take effect on July 31, 2024.

The blockage has left many subscribers stranded and unable to access their phone services.  One X user, Sir David Onyemaizu, tweeting as #SirDavidBent, wrote on Monday, “As a Nigerian, if you’re not queuing at a fuel station because of scarcity, you’ll definitely be at the nearest MTN Office this morning because lines of even those who linked their NINS have been barred.” Another user, The Solar Guy, using the handle #Certified_Diam, tweeted, “Queue as at 7:30 am this morning at MTN office Ojodu Berger. Everyone with a barred line suddenly has biodata issues. I believe this is a scheme and check is currently ongoing. The response today will determine if they will add Airtel by tomorrow.”

A tweep, VictorLastfive Mnia, tweeting as #last5ive, lamented, “#MTNNG #MTN180. Nigerians woke up at MTN office as their lines are barred overnight. They have previously linked their NINs and did not expect such eventuality despite facing other economic challenges.”