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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said telecoms subscribers whose Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are barred from making calls due to non-linkage with National Identification Numbers (NINs) would not be unbarred by the service providers until they are linked NINs of the SIM holders.
According to NCC, the clarification became necessary in view of a viral web link, https://bit.ly/NCC-Sim-Unbar-Gov-Ng, circulating on social media and some websites, asking people to unblock their SIM cards.
“The link and accompanying narrative represent patent misinformation and disinformation certainly designed to mislead the general public about the SIM cards that are barred from making calls, due to non-linkage with NIN at the set deadline.
“The misleading viral message mischievously displays NCC logo and ostensibly promises members of the public that by clicking the web link and following further instructions in that regard, subscribers with barred SIM cards can unbar such SIMs across mobile networks without a valid NIN,” it said.
The commission noted that it has never issued a statement directing or indicating that subscribers can unbar their SIM cards without a NIN.
“NCC is the national regulatory authority for telecommunications in Nigeria, and it is co-driving the process of the NIN-SIM linkage with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as directed by the Federal Government.
“The Commission will not, under any circumstance, act contrary to Federal Government’s directive to MNOs to unbar SIMs cards not linked to NINs at the expiration of the last deadline given for the NIN-SIM linkage exercise,” the agancy said.
NCC urged subscribers that have not registered for their NIN to get their SIM registered at accredited centers across the country and link the NIN with their SIM cards through channels provided by their service providers.
It also enjoined subscribers with registered NINs, to go and link the NIN with their SIMs through channels provided by their service providers.
The NCC, reiterated its commitment to Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM linkage, which include strengthening security situation in the country, assist in other socio-economic planning activities of the government, as well as to always advance the course of consumer protection from falling victim to the antics of cyber fraudsters, among others.
The commission also urged the general public to disregard the advertisement making the rounds on social media that there is an ongoing recruitment at NCC.