The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) says its members will comply with President Muhammadu Buhari regime’s order to block phone lines of subscribers yet to link the National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM.

The association disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo and head of operations, Gbolahan Awonuga.

“Our members are committed to complying with the instructions and call on telecommunication subscribers who have not obtained or linked their NIN to their SIMs, to do so at any of the designated centres,” Mr Adebayo said.

The chairman said its members remained committed to supporting Mr Buhari’s regime and upholding the rights of citizens to communicate.

The deadline handed to Nigerians by Mr Buhari’s regime to link their NIN to their SIMs ended on March 31, after about eight postponements.

At the last minute, the government pushed for the linkage and on Friday directed Nigerians to ensure they complete the verification and linkage of their NINs to their SIMs within days.

Communications minister Isa Pantami in a Monday statement, emphasised that “enrolment for the NIN is a continuous exercise, and NIN is a precondition for service in Telcos, banks, Nigerian Immigration Service, and for several other government services.” 

Mr Pantami also encouraged Nigerians and legal residents to visit NIN registration centres for the enrollment and issuance of valid NINs.

(NAN)