Telecoms giant MTN has announced the closure of all its stores and service centres across Nigeria in response to growing outrage from subscribers whose lines were barred over National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM registration mismatches.
This decision follows incidents of vandalism, including a viral video showing a mob destroying a barricade fence outside an MTN office in FESTAC Town, Lagos. The angry subscribers were reacting to the network provider’s action of blocking their lines.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the FESTAC Division Police Officer and his team had restored order at the scene. “This should not be the way to go,” Hundeyin stated.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), MTN communicated, “Yello customer, please be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July 2024.”
The widespread dissatisfaction among MTN subscribers follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s directive to disconnect SIM numbers not linked to NINs by July 31, 2024. This measure aims to enhance national security and streamline subscriber identification processes.
