MTN Nigeria has temporarily closed all its stores and service centres across the country following incidents of vandalism by disgruntled customers. The decision comes after a series of attacks on the company's offices by customers whose lines were disconnected due to the government's National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage policy.
The most notable incident occurred on Monday, when a group of angry customers demolished the fence of an MTN Nigeria office in Festac Town, Lagos. These customers had gathered to lodge complaints about the recent blocking of their telephone lines by the telecom company.
Similar scenes have played out in various parts of Nigeria, with aggrieved subscribers besieging MTN offices to express their frustration and disappointment over the disconnection of their phone numbers.
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Confirming the closures, MTN issued a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter): “Yello customer, please be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July 2024.”
The NIN-SIM linkage policy, mandated by the Nigerian government, requires all mobile phone users to link their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers. This policy aims to enhance national security and curb the misuse of mobile lines for criminal activities. However, the implementation has faced significant challenges, including long wait times and difficulties in obtaining NINs, leading to widespread customer dissatisfaction.
MTN Nigeria is currently working to address these issues and ensure compliance with the government's directives while minimizing inconvenience to its customers. The company has yet to announce when its stores and service centres will reopen.
