National
Barred lines: MTN subscribers besiege service centre
MTN subscribers in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Monday thronged the telco’s service centre in their thousands to address the barring of their phone lines.
Many of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews that their phone lines were barred at the weekend allegedly because of the NIN – SIM linkage.
They told NAN that they had already linked their NIN to their SIM, and wondered why their lines were still barred.
According to Mrs Kemi Olawale, an entrepreneur, her line was barred without prior notice.
Olawale explained that she had tried the self service link which the network service provider sent to customers, adding that it didn’t work.
”My line was barred without notifying me, no message was sent, and I was sent a number to call to link it, which I did, but it said it was waiting for verification.
”I called but I was told to visit the physical office. I came here on Sunday at 8 a.m. and waited till noon, yet, I was not attended to.
”MTN should ensure that its virtual self-service options are working efficiently,” she urged.
Similarly, Mr Tunde Bolakale, a businessman, said that barring of his line had crippled his business, adding that his office was situated at Ijora, and it would be a waste of effort to go there without his work tools.
”I sell frozen foods in bulk and I receive alerts and make transfers with the same line.
”As it is now, I can’t even reach people who are bringing my goods for me, it means my business, for sometime, will be crippled except I get another line subscribed to a different network,” he said.
In the same vein, Miss Temiloluwa Ajayi, who works in the private sector, said that since her line was barred, she wouldn’t be able to monitor the payment of her salary.
”The line is attached to all my businesses, and without it, I cannot operate.
”It is also linked to my salary account, but now with the crowd, how am I sure I will get my line back?
”If I get another line, it will also take a long process to link it back to all my businesses, especially going to the bank,” she said.
Some other subscribers expressed their displeasure over the barring of lines by telcos on the networks’ social media pages.
A look at telcos X pages and Instagram handles revealed complaints by subscribers on the barring issue.
On Instagram, an MTN subscriber with the user name ‘Contextureedge ‘ said: “What reason does MTN have to block lines despite being linked to NIN.”
Similarly, Eyibio_Joshua on Instagram expressed displeasure, noting that he had not been able to call and send emails because MTN blocked him.
He urged MTN to fix the problem immediately.
Also, ireachgraphic on Instagram stated that MTN kept blocking numbers that were already linked to NIN.
On Airtel X page, a subscriber with the user name TemmyDaSilva complained that her number was blocked few days ago, querying that how many times the telco would want her number to be linked.
Similarly, a Glo subscriber on Instagram, Mercy Simeon_ said: “I sincerely want to know why my line was blocked for nothing.”
Reacting, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said that the NIN/SIM link registration deadline had earlier been set for 31st July, 2024.
Adebayo reacted in a press statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, signed jointly by himself and the ALTON Executive Secretary, Mr Gbolahan Awonuga.
ALTON is the official industry body for all providers of telecommunications and subsidiary services in Nigeria.
Its membership include all the major telecommunications licensees in Nigeria, particularly those providing voice and data telephony as well as those providing ancillary and other related value-added services.
He said that the fact of the matter was that the harmonisation exercise of the SIM registration database and national identity database had been ongoing for several months.
He said that the harmonisation was aimed at improving the integrity of the National SIM registration database.
The ALTON chairman said: “Customers who had their lines blocked recently are those who their service providers
found a mismatch between their records on both databases.
“We advise such customers to contact their service providers through communicated channels for resolution of the issue.
“However, all operators have put in place measures to ensure that anyone whose line is blocked can unblock it.”
The Nigerian Communications Commission had directed telecommunication companies to extend the disconnection of telephone lines not linked to National Identification Numbers from April 15 to July 31.
During the initial deadline on February 28, the industry regulator said about 40 million lines not linked to NINs were barred. (NAN)
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has called on the national assembly to fast-track the passage of the bill for the creation of state police.
Muhammadu Yahaya, governor of Gombe and chairman of the forum, spoke in Kaduna on Saturday at the end of a joint meeting with members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council.
Yahaya said the forum also called for a review of the country’s security strategy to address the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and violent killings in the north-central zone.
He said a mutually beneficial resolution was reached on the tax reform bills following the position of the forum on the matter.
Yahaya said the forum commended President Bola Tinubu for listening to stakeholders on the matter and his “commitment to inclusive governance”.
“I am pleased to report that through the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the national economic council, and in consultation with the leadership of the national assembly, we found a way forward that will lead to a mutually beneficial resolution of the matter,” he said.
“We recommend that going forward, such a collaborative approach should guide all matters of intergovernmental relations in the interest of the people.”
The Gombe governor said the state of infrastructure in the northern region is worrisome, adding that some projects awarded in the past have been neglected.
“The state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria remains a cause for major concern,” he said.
“While we acknowledge President Tinubu’s commitment to completing the ongoing Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, and the AKK gas pipeline among many others, other projects like the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, Kano-Maiduguri expressway, and Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu expressway which were awarded in the past, remain in a serious state of neglect.
“In the same vein, no state of the north-east was captured in the federal government’s superhighway project.
“We must therefore explore innovative financing options, including public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds, in order to bridge this gap and lay a solid foundation for agricultural production, industrialization and growth.”
In a communique released at the end of the meeting, the forum said it resolved to immediately “set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on our joint borders”.
“The forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum to work out modalities of how to increase support to the federal security forces,” the communique reads.
“The forum reiterated its support for the creation of the State Police and called on the national assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off.”
The bill for the creation of state police is currently at the national assembly.
The legislation proposes to transfer the term “police” in the 1999 constitution (as amended) from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.
However, critics have argued that state governors could abuse such a policing system, using it as a tool to intimidate dissenting voices.
Proponents of the state police believe that the system will allow states to tackle their insecurity challenges at the local level without relying on the federal government.
The Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYC) has honoured Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Trader, Executive Director of the Regional Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence for Sub-Saharan Africa (RSECE), with its coveted Northern Elders Award of Excellence, “Garkuwan Marayun Arewa,” in recognition of his outstanding service to youth empowerment, national unity and social development.
The prestigious award, which translates to “Shield of Northern Orphans,” was conferred during a colourful ceremony at the RSECE headquarters in Abuja.
The event drew a cross-section of youth leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
National President of the NYC, Ambassador Auwalu Mohammed Majiri, commended Dr. Trader’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“This recognition is rooted in Dr. Trader’s consistent efforts to empower young people and his unwavering role as a bridge-builder in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and peace,” he said.
Dr. Trader, who has a storied career in public service and finance, expressed deep gratitude to the NYC.
He described the recognition as “humbling,” adding that his passion for uplifting the next generation remains central to his work.
“As someone who became the first Northerner to graduate at the age of 19, and having held top roles in the civil service and banking sector, I understand the power of opportunity,” he stated.
“Through RSECE, I continue to support youth initiatives and encourage entrepreneurship as a tool for nation-building.”
The award serves as a powerful endorsement of Dr. Trader’s leadership, humanitarian values and grassroots impact, particularly among marginalised communities.
His honour, according to observers, stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others committed to Nigeria’s collective progress.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”