The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says telecoms consumers, whose Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are barred from making calls will not be unbarred by the service providers until they are linked with the National Identification Numbers (NINs) of the SIM holders.
In a statement, the NCC says this information has become necessary in view of a viral web link being circulated on social media and on some websites.
The link and accompanying narrative represent patent misinformation and disinformation certainly designed to mislead the general public about the SIM cards that are barred from making calls, due to non-linkage with NIN at the set deadline.
The misleading, viral message mischievously displays NCC logo and ostensibly promises members of the public that, by clicking the web link and following further instructions in that regard, subscribers with barred SIM cards can unbar such SIMs across mobile networks without a valid NIN.
The NCC states categorically that it never issued such statement, directing subscribers or indicating that subscribers can unbar their SIM without a NIN. As such, the originators and peddlers of the spurious message were out to mischievously mislead unsuspecting members of public. Therefore, their message should be disregarded.
The Commission says for subscribers that have not registered for their NIN, they are to get their SIMs registered at accredited centres across the country and then link the NIN with their SIM cards through channels provided by their service providers while for subscribers with registered NINs, they are to simply go and link the NIN with their SIMs through channels provided by their service providers.
