Telecom operators in the country may embark on a fresh disconnection of subscribers on their networks, specifically who do not have proper linkage of their National Identification Number (NIN) with their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers.
The fresh round of disconnections, billed to hold March 29, 2024 is in compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that all registered SIMs that are not properly linked with the NIN should be barred until corrected or subsequently disconnected entirely from the network.
The exercise, which took effect from February 28, 2024, is said to be an ongoing process, which the Federal government designed to checkmate activities of bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who breach the country’s peaceful security atmosphere.
The NCC disconnection directive is in phases. While the first phase happened February 28, 2024, the second phase is due March 29, 2024.
Reports say the third phase may also come up sometime in April, 2024, over which
the Commission has reportedly received assurances from the operators.
Those that will be affected by the second phase of barring/disconnection are subscribers who have five SIMs and above from one operator, who are also found to have unverified NIN-SIM linkages.
The third phase will commence on April 15, when operators will bar subscribers with four SIMs and below, whose NINs are unverified.
Although the telcos are said to be appealing to be Commission to review and extend the April deadline for the third phase, a reliable source also said NCC’s body language does not show that it will yield.
In the first phase, some 40 million lines were barred. They contained about 17 million SIMs, which were active for three months, but failed to submit NINs.
The other 23 million SIMs, were those that were not active in the last one year and without NINs.