By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s leading telecommunications service provider has announced the indefinite closure of its offices nationwide, arising from outrage over SIM cards activation, which affected millions of subscribers in the West African nation.
“Yello customer, please be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July 2024.
“We are available 24/7 to support you via our digital channels”, the telecommunication giant said in a terse statement on Tuesday.
The company had on Sunday deactivated subscribers over their inability to link their lines with the National Identification Number (NIN), a policy introduced by the federal government to checkmate crimes.
Affected customers who could not make use of their lines on Monday had come out in their large numbers, seeking redress at MTN stores and outlets across the country.
In Lagos, frustrated customers had vandalized MTN office located at 72 Junction, Opposite First Bank, 23 Road, Festac Town, over allegations that the staff were unwilling to help.
A 17-second video shared on X, showed a crowd of subscribers breaking into the telecoms premises.
The crowd pulled back the iron bars used as security fence around the premises to access the building.
In response to the vandalism, a spokesperson of Lagos State police command in a post via X, stated, “This should not be the way to go!
“Meanwhile, the DPO FESTAC and his men responded immediately they got the report. They succeeded in restoring normalcy and are still on ground to maintain peace.”
Heritage Times HT reports that this is coming ahead of the August 1 nationwide protest in the 220 million population.
Some groups are rallying support for a planned 10-day protest to draw the attention of authorities over high cost of living and hyper inflation in the country.
One of the groups, Take It Back, has notified the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of the plan to go ahead with the protest despite pressure from the government which has repeatedly called on the groups to shelve the protest.
The Inspector General of Police has directed Commissioners and Area Commanders to offer protection to the protesters.
