COVID-19: There are fears and serious concerns as millions of Nigerians besiege NIN offices nationwide during highly infectious global pandemic
This is following Federal Government’s recently order that its over 180 million mobile users must sync their phone numbers with National Identity numbers under 2 weeks.
This directive is coming at a time that even state governments like Lagos are mulling lock down due to COVID-19 pandemic now spreading like wild fire. More so, Nigerian government have not banned fight from the UK where the new virus strain was recently discovered.
The Directive reads:
“Suspension of new SIM Card Registration by Network Operators
In line with the Federal Government desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database again.
The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission.
Accordingly, MNOs are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction.
However, where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.
MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.
As the Minister has earlier directed in January, 2020, all citizens are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators. “
The decision to from the highest authorities in the land to expose its citizens to coronavirus through army style directives has been likened to mass murder.
BELOW are photos showing Large crowds at NIMC offices in Lagos for NIN registration:
