Thousands of Nigerians woke up on Sunday to find their SIM cards barred by MTN Group Limited, sparking widespread outrage.

The telecommunications giant claimed that the affected subscribers had failed to link their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM cards.

In response, scores of disgruntled subscribers stormed 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 online show protesters venting their frustration and anger over the sudden disconnection. The protests highlight the frustration and disruption caused by the mass disconnection, with many subscribers demanding a resolution to the issue."

The disconnection comes as Nigerian regulators pressure telecoms companies to implement the NIN-linkage policy introduced in December 2020.

In February 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) told telecoms companies to bar subscribers who failed to link their phone numbers to their NIN on or before February 28, 2024. The deadline was extended to April 15, 2024, and later July 31, 2024.

SaharaReporters also reported that Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) on Sunday accused telecoms companies of sabotaging the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Sunday, titled 'Sabotage By Telecoms Companies,' Adegboruwa urged the NCC to take immediate action and protect the interests of subscribers.

The statement accused telecoms companies of disconnecting subscribers for flimsy reasons.

“For the past few days, some telecoms companies have been disconnecting their subscribers for very flimsy and untenable reasons. Some allege lack of NIN registration or linking while some didn’t not give any reason at all,” it said.

However, rthe Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo, has denied the allegation.

Adebayo described the allegation as unfounded in an interview with Vanguard, saying it is the “funniest allegation anybody can make”.

https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/29/protests-erupt-mtn-offices-across-nigeria-over-mass-sim-card-disconnection

Nigerians should come out to protest peacefully against hunger and hardship like VDM.
VDM didn't commit a crime. Protesting peacefully is never a crime.

And it is the job of the police to ensure the rights of peaceful protesters is not infringed upon.

They extended the deadline three times

It's definitely not about the protest

It's even harder to ask them to extend it this time again after the first three

Victim mentality is shit, we should learn to do away with it

CyrusVI:


They extended the deadline three times

It's definitely not about the protest

It's even harder to ask them to extend it this time again after the first three

Victim mentality is shit, we should learn to do away with it

you see that you guys are really evil, your hearts are filled with wickedness 24 hours a day because you completely lack empathy. What of those who have their lines linked already but were blocked too ? Wicked man

And some Apc miscreants said they only disconnected sims not linked to NIN , just a little spark may trigger the protest. We have been taking for granted for years in this country

CyrusVI:


They extended the deadline three times

It's definitely not about the protest

It's even harder to ask them to extend it this time again after the first three

Victim mentality is shit, we should learn to do away with it

you might be sick in the head

CyrusVI:
They extended the deadline three times. It's definitely not about the protest. It's even harder to ask them to extend it this time again after the first three. Victim mentality is shit, we should learn to do away with it

The deadline is for the 31st of July; it isn't the 31st of July yet. Today is just the 29th. The companies are at fault. Class action lawsuit should be loading by this point. 😁

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

[Remarks on the first anniversary of the Alliance for Progress, 13 March 1962]

John F. Kennedy

#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria In Kwara
Venue: Ibrahim Sulu Gambari Road
Time: 7am
August 1st 2024.
#DaysOfRage

RZArecta:
you see that you guys are really evil, your hearts are filled with wickedness 24 hours a day because you completely lack empathy. What of those who have their lines linked already but were blocked too ? Wicked man

I am still wondering why Nigeria is still a country because this country has been struggling with mutual suspicion since 1967. If citizens cannot trust their government and every action is perceived political and meanings read into it, I don't see the basis for calling this shithole a country.

As far as I am concerned, this barred SIM issue has nothing to do with the planned protest. I was disconnected yesterday and I had a hard time debating that it had nothing to do with the protest at an MTN office where over 200 people believed it was about the protest.

My argument was simple - if this disconnection was about the protest, why are people being reconnected in less than 24 hours after submitting their NIN biometrics? They should've told us that we had to wait for 10th August (after the protest) for our Sims to start working again. Secondly, Nigerians had been protesting and rioting before we started using GSM.

Abeg it's hard living among people who cannot use their heads and don't even trust themselves/the government.

APC government using every weapon in their disposal to fight against the protest.


They are afraid because guilty person runs when no one is pushing him.

CyrusVI:


They extended the deadline three times

It's definitely not about the protest

It's even harder to ask them to extend it this time again after the first three

Victim mentality is shit, we should learn to do away with it

Explain why those that already Linked their nin for months were also blocked?

SmartPolician:


I am still wondering why Nigeria is still a country because this country has been struggling with mutual suspicion since 1967. If citizens cannot trust their government and every action is perceived political and meanings read into it, I don't see the basis for calling this shithole a country.

As far as I am concerned, this barred SIM issue has nothing to do with the planned protest. I was disconnected yesterday and I had a hard time debating that it had nothing to do with the protest at an MTN office where over 200 people believed it was about the protest.

My argument was simple - if this disconnection was about the protest, why are people being reconnected in less than 24 hours after submitting their NIN biometrics? They should've told us that we had to wait for 10th August (after the protest) for our Sims to start working again. Secondly, Nigerians had been protesting and rioting before we started using GSM.

Abeg it's hard living among people who cannot use their heads and don't even trust themselves/the government.

you claim to be using your head so point out where I said the barred sim issue is about protest because I'm sure I was only talking about those who have linked their sims yet were still barred.

This protest na just noise for the sake of noise.

People dey vex over SIM disconnection like say dem no sabi how dem dey operate. MTN no fit just carry everybody’s line dey play like say na free airtime.

If we dey talk about real issues, why no one dey protest about our leaders wey dey chop our money and leave us with this wahala?

This one na distraction, because if dem really want to make change, dem go start with the people wey dey sit down for office, not MTN wey just dey follow the rules. Na so e be, we dey waste energy for the wrong fight.

The average Nigerian no go even remember wetin dem protest for by tomorrow. Na so we dey go round in circle without any tangible result.

COMRADES does MTN want Nigerians to channel their anger towards her networks?

No pictures of the mass protest in front of those offices 🤣

If they are not careful the planned protest will start from MTN offices

Mtn be playing with fire

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Lmfao. But how come it's only MTN. What about other telecomm operators. This people with their beer parlor approach to everything. They never fail to disappoint.

FuglyGurl:


https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/29/protests-erupt-mtn-offices-across-nigeria-over-mass-sim-card-disconnection

The Tinubu lead federal government is actually fueling the proposed protest with their unwise antics.

Tinubu didn't care if boko Haram would hijack the protest he lead against Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 but now afraid this protest will be hijacked by hoodlums, Isis, Taliban, Hamas, Hezbolla and al-qaeda...no be juju be that?

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Not good what they are doing. This is not the best time to provoke people.
It’s like putting pepper in an open wound.

With this unfortunate action of this service provider called MTN, the die has been cast already. The already tensed situation has been heightened by this foolish uncalled action. Everything is on edge, wouldn't be surprised if the violent mob of the already frayed nerves decides to use any of the service centres as a starting point.

They better do the needful by going back to the status quo ante and avoid this needless unnecessary tension. A word is enough for the wise. Don't as a private entity go and carry government wahalla put for your head. Violence and rage no dey see reason o!

As people no see food to eat, to protest come dey hungry people

MTN own sef don dey too much.


After spending hours 2 years ago for NIN linkage, you wan bar me again. 😥😢

A desperate search for solutions end up creating more problems.




Na only the government go escalate this protest.

Good...pikin wey say him mama no go sleep no go sleep.
If I near una office make I bend...pple yapa wey go deal with una.