SIM Deactivation: Nigerians React As Large Crowd Invades NIMC Office In Lagos Amid COVID-19 Restrictions (photos)

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SIM Deactivation: Nigerians React As Large Crowd Invades NIMC Office In Lagos Amid COVID-19 RestrictionsLarge crowd gathered at the Alausa office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Lagos State on Monday morning to obtain National Identification Number (NIN) as ordered by the Federal Government last week.

This comes despite FG also warning against large gathering as the country battle second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It would be recalled that FG, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, issued a two-week ultimatum to all telecommunications operators in the country to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) without NIN.

The Monday rush is therefore not unconnected to the ultimatum as Nigerians attempt to register for NIN in order to beat the federal government’s deadline for SIM deactivation despite several appeals to extend the date.

Read Also: Reps Ask NCC To Extend Two-Week Deadline On Blocking SIM Cards Without NIN

Following outrage from many Nigerians, House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to extend the deadline for the provision of NIN by telcos to 10 weeks.

The House, at the plenary on Wednesday, described the two weeks given to SIM card users by NCC to provide their NIN to service providers as grossly inadequate.

However, the Commission was yet to make a public reversal of its notice as at Monday, December 20.

The gathering at NIMC office has since sparked reactions from many Nigerians who called out both Lagos and Federal Government for giving conflicting directives.

It would be recalled that Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in preparation for second wave of COVID-19 infection placed a ban on concerts, street parties, and nightclubs.

Read Also: Breaking: COVID-19 Second Wave: Lagos Bans Parties, Clubs, Carnivals, Reimposes Restriction Order At Worship Centres

He also ordered a shut down of schools and instructed civil servants from grade level 14 to work from home.

See some reactions from Twitter users below;

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