As Nigerians continued to groan over inhuman conditions characterised by the Buhari administration through what were termed anti-people policies, it is believed that the Nigerian government agencies seem to be in a race to outdo one another in assaulting the people.
The recent being the National Identification Number, NIN, which the government has mandated Nigerians to ensure they have. Otherwise, people without the number will not be able to make calls nor browse the internet.
Segun Awosanya, a human right activist and one of the conveners of #EndSARS, has called out the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, over a blanket directive to shutdown retrieval of SIM cards, especially victims of armed robber and kidnappers.
He wrote:
“I regret to agree with the reports of citizens in pains based on @NgComCommission’s recent directive to shutdown retrieval of SIM cards of victims of armed robbers & kidnappers across Nigeria just to enforce NIN linkage. Lives are being ruined daily & you’re worsening things!
“A blanket directive that further makes lives worse than ever just to force compliance is unconscionable in a democracy. These are people Govt failed to protect in the first place being victimized a third time after their accounts must have been emptied by robbers.
“The networks made a lot of blunders with sim registration. When you damage your SIM or need to upgrade, this is when you will discover that the name on record is not yours. Sadly there’s nothing you can do to correct this now because of this restriction. This is wickedness!
“Allow the networks to attend to these special cases and ensure the linkage of NIN while at it. The entire exercise itself is an after thought and harmonization of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics could have prevented this mad rush & general inconvenience. Think people!
“We’re demanding an immediate review of this ban to accommodate those failed by Govt seeking to lift themselves out of their pain. They’ve been billed N50k & above by @PoliceNG for investigation when they can’t even operate their accounts. At least let them retrieve their SIMs!
“If this unconscionable order is not review by MONDAY we shall be occupying all NCC offices Nationwide until the needful is done. We are tired of oppression and certainly won’t allow it ruin the new year. The year is only new based on the action we take to make a difference!
“We MUST hold @DrIsaPantami responsible for this chaotic development and hope that the @NGRPresident @MBuhari calls him to order before things get worse. I’m ready to step down from my current engagement and focus on this until something gives. This shouldn’t be happening!”
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