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SIM-NIN linkage: Blocked lines rise to 40 million
No fewer than 40 million telephone lines were barred by telecommunication operators over the weekend following the expiration of the February 28, 2024 deadline issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission mandating telecom consumers to link the Subscriber Identity Module to their National Identity Numbers.
This represents a 28 million increase from the 12 million telephone lines initially planned to be deactivated by telcos, following the NCC directive.
In a December 2023 notice, the NCC had asked telcos to bar SIMs that had not been linked to their owners’ NINs by February 28, 2024.
On Thursday, the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, ruled out an extension of the deadline, warning that telcos that failed to enforce the deadline would be sanctioned.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, then disclosed that telcos would bar 12 million lines as a result of the directive.
However, on Sunday, the ALTON chair revealed that the number of barred lines had risen to 40 million, pointing out that SIMs without NIN were included in the number.
Adebayo said, “I can tell you that over 40 million lines have been blocked and the affected customers are those who didn’t submit their NIN at all. Some persons have not presented any NIN to operators. They haven’t registered their SIMs or participated in the harmonisation programme. They simply haven’t made any presentation of the NIN number to their operators and those were the persons blocked. So why is the number so alarming despite repeated warnings? It shows many people still communicate but are not registered,” told The PUNCH.
In the December 2023 notice, the NCC had also asked the Global Satellite Mobile Communications operators to bar SIMs holders whose NINs have been submitted but not verified by March 29, 2024; and interdict those who have less than five lines linked to an unverified NIN by April 15, 2024.
The Federal Government had, on December 16, 2020, introduced the SIM-NIN synchronisation initiative meant to enable security agencies to track criminals.
The synchronisation involves validating the NIN with the National Identity Management Commission and matching the subscriber’s NIN records with the SIM registration information (verification) to ensure proper subscriber identification.
However, Nigerians have raised questions on why security agencies have not used the SIM-NIN linkage to track criminals, especially bandits and kidnappers, who often use mobile telephone lines to speak with victims’ families during ransom negotiations.
Presently, there are 224.7 million active mobile telephone lines in the country, according to the information released by the NCC on its website.
On Sunday, the ALTON chairman did not give the breakdown of subscribers or SIMs that were deactivated by telcos over the weekend.
He said, “No, we currently don’t have the breakdown of disconnected lines per network right now but I know over 40 million lines have been deactivated.”
Adebayo further hinted that another series of disconnections would be implemented by the end of the month and mid April.
Adebayo said, “The second tier of disconnections that will happen are those who have provided NIN but have more than five Mobile Subscription Identification Numbers associated with their NIN, and these have not been verified. This is because some have differences in the order of their names, and some have differences in their date of birth. The information provided to the operator when they did the SIM registration is different from what they provided (to NIMC) when they did their NIN. Some subscribers also have some differences in other records that are very critical to their verification process.
“So these people who have more than five MSINs attached to their NIN and haven’t been verified will be disconnected effective March 30, 2024. So we may have more disconnections happening by the end of this month. If somebody has given a name that has not been verified and has been receiving text messages to verify and they haven’t done that, by March 30th, those people will be disconnected and the figures will further increase.”
He explained, “There are two sources of data-primary and secondary. During the first registration process, the customer’s information is on-boarded to a server when everyone did the SIM registration but the secondary record is for details given during NIN. Hence your primary record has to be uniform with the secondary data across the platforms before you can be verified.
“Furthermore, for those who have less than five MSINs, by April 15th, they will be disconnected if they don’t harmonise their records before then. So we are going to go through a series of disconnections or service suspensions over the next two months if people don’t follow the laid down regulations.”
Reacting, the President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, has said the body will seek redress in court on Thursday if the deadline is not extended.
Adeolu, who confirmed that the number of barred subscribers was above 12 million earlier indicated, asked the NCC to consider the plight of customers and grant a 31-day extension.
The Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, says the Presidency will stand by the Nigerian Military’s position that there was never a coup attempt in Nigeria.
According to Naija News, on October 18, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had released a statement describing as false and misleading the reports online that alleged that activities to mark the 65th independence anniversary of Nigeria were cancelled over an attempted coup plot.
The rumours of a coup intensified further after President Tinubu sacked the Service Chiefs.
In an interview with TVC on Tuesday, Dare said the Presidency will stick to the narrative of the Nigerian Military that there was no coup attempt in Nigeria.
According to him, the presidency will only change its position when the military says otherwise, because the military is constitutionally empowered to secure the country.
He said, “We are going to stick to the narrative of the military because they are the ones constitutionally empowered to secure this country. They are given the power, arms and ammunition as the intelligence power.
“So when the military says these are the reasons why we have this development, we are going to stay with that narrative because that is the brief that is out there. Until the military comes with a different narrative, we are going to stay with that narrative. On some military being retained, there is a need to have institutional memory and maintain a balance and this decision was not taken on a flip for the person that was retained.”
In a significant turn of events, the military has taken decisive action by arresting a managing director linked to a burgeoning coup plot.
This strategic move comes amid an extensive investigation into the financial resources allegedly earmarked to support the coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.
As the situation unfolds, there are growing concerns regarding the potential involvement of various stakeholders in this conspiracy.
Military investigators probing an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are reportedly grilling a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South South region, according to The PUNCH.
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Two intelligence officers confirmed that the MD was arrested for allegedly transferring a huge sum of money to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was fingered as one of the financiers of the alleged plot to forcefully change the government.
According to reports, investigators believe the funds were meant to finance the coup.
“The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.”
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Former Bayelsa governor Sylva’s Abuja house was reportedly raided by investigators on Saturday, with military operatives arresting his younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and went away with his driver.
The former minister and All Progressives Congress chieftain was outside the country during the operation.
Sources with knowledge of the operation explained that he was planning to return to the country when he heard that the coup leaders had been arrested. He thus shelved his plan to return home.
“Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around. His younger brother, Paga, who is the SA, Domestic, and the driver, were arrested. Investigators believe Sylva allegedly funded the coup plot. Sylva was abroad and was preparing to leave for Nigeria when he got wind of the arrest of the coup leaders. So, he stayed back.”
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, could not be reached for comments on Tuesday as they didn’t pick up calls from our reporter.
Gusau had, in a statement on October 4, said that 16 officers were detained for breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement partly read.
However, online platform SaharaReporters claimed that the detained officers — ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General —were being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
It also alleged that the officers were arrested at their homes across the country.
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Source: The Punch
Tension is palpable across the communities of Abuja following a foiled coup attempt, prompting authorities to intensify their efforts against those suspected of involvement in the plot.
In a significant development, members of the Nigerian Army executed a search operation at the Abuja residence of Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
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This raid is part of a broader investigation spearheaded by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) into the alleged conspiracy.
According to reports from SaharaReporters, this operation underscores the serious nature of the allegations flying around and the government’s commitment to unraveling the details behind this troubling incident. The atmosphere of uncertainty and concern in the capital seems to be growing as investigations unfold.
Multiple security sources confirmed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the army raid occurred at Sylva’s home in the Maitama area of Abuja.
According to insiders, a “special military team” carried out the operation after intelligence linked the “former South-South governor” to secret meetings allegedly held with some of the detained military officers.
“Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria,” one top source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters.
“He is the South-South former governor frequently mentioned in the case. His brother, named Paga, was picked up during the raid. The operation also extended to his Bayelsa residence.”
Another security insider said that while no official statement had been issued regarding the raid, the action was “not random” but “a direct response to intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged plotters.”
This development comes amid growing tension within the armed forces following SaharaReporters’ exclusive report that at least 16 senior military officers had been detained incommunicado by the DIA over an alleged coup plot.
The detained officers, drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have been held for over three weeks in an undisclosed Abuja facility under what sources described as “unusual and suspicious conditions.”
Family members told SaharaReporters they initially believed their relatives had been kidnapped, as there was no official communication from the military regarding their arrests.
“It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were detained in an undisclosed location. At first, we thought our brother was kidnapped before finding out what transpired from his friend who works in the NSA office,” a family member had said.
Security analysts have questioned why the DIA, an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Defence, is spearheading the investigation instead of allowing each military service to handle its personnel internally, a move seen as “highly political.”
“If the military were truly conducting a disciplinary operation, over 10,000 cases could emerge. Why only 16 officers, and why hand them to the DIA?” one retired officer asked. “This smells of politics. There’s clearly more going on behind the scenes.”
Speculations are now rife that the alleged plot and subsequent arrests may have deeper political undertones, potentially involving some former office holders with ties to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and a close ally of late Buhari, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023.
He was also the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa election, which he lost to incumbent Governor Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service revealed that 15 people, comprising seven female adults, seven male adults, and four children, had been rescued with varying degrees of injury.
A two-storey building has collapsed in the Oyingbo area of Lagos, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared trapped.
The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in a situation report, said that the agency received a distress call in the wee small hours of Monday.
Adeseye explained that the building located on 54, Cole Street, Cemetery Bus Stop, had been marked ‘Distressed’ before it collapsed on the occupants.
She revealed that 15 people, comprising seven female adults, seven male adults, and four children, had been rescued with varying degrees of injury.
They were taken to the Federal Medical Center, Ebute Meta, and General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island.
She, however, said a rescue operation by the Sari Iganmu Fire Station of the LSFRS was ongoing.
“It is an ongoing rescue involving an existing two-storey building which has reportedly [been] marked distress before collapsing on the occupants.
“Fifteen adults (seven male adults, four female adults, and four children) have been rescued with varying degrees of injury and taken to Federal Medical Center, Ebute Meta, and General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island,” the statement partly read.
Building collapses in Nigeria are a lingering concern, especially in the rainy season.
The incident happened weeks after six people were rescued in September after a two-storey building collapsed on Modupeola Street, Mangoro, Alimosho, Lagos.
Scene of the collapse of a three-storey building at Alagomeji, in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
On September 13, one person was confirmed dead when a three-storey building in Alagomeji area of the state collapse.
Police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh has warned activist and politician Omoyele Sowore and others against protesting over demolitions in Lagos.
Jimoh gave the warning while addressing journalists in the Iyana-Oworo axis of the Third Mainland Bridge on Monday.
He said the Lagos police command had made massive deployments across the city to forestall any planned demonstrations that could lead to public disorder. He also mentioned that the command would not tolerate any attempt to block major highways or disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in Lagos.
“We want to warn Sowore and his group to stay away from Lagos or face the full weight of the law. The Third Mainland Bridge is too vital to the Nigerian economy and the safety of lives and property for anyone to think of blocking it. Every day, thousands of people depend on that route for their livelihood and medical emergencies, ” Mr Jimoh said.
Jimoh said cops had been stationed at strategic points, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Maryland, Ojota, Gani Fawehinmi Park, Gbagada, Bariga, Lekki Toll Gate, and other areas to ensure peace and order.
“Anyone who wishes to organise a peaceful protest must follow laid-down procedures. What we have seen in recent times is not protest but attempts to disrupt public peace. Anyone who engages in such will be dealt with according to the law,” he said.
Following the recent demolition in Oworonshoki, Mr Jimoh defended the government’s action, describing the affected areas as illegal structures and criminal hideouts.
“Those areas were being used by criminals to launch attacks on innocent Nigerians. The government is justified in clearing them. Genuine residents have been compensated, and this was documented and covered by the media two days ago,” he said.
He accused some individuals of attempting to exploit the situation for political or criminal purposes, warning that the police would not allow anyone to use the guise of protest to cause mayhem.
“Anyone hiding under activism to cause chaos is complicit in a conspiracy to commit a crime; we will not permit that, ” he said.
The commissioner assured law-abiding residents of adequate protection, urging them to go about their daily activities without fear.
“Every Nigerian is entitled to protection, safety, and freedom of movement. We will continue to ensure that Lagos remains peaceful, but criminality under the cover of protest will not be tolerated,” Mr Jimoh said.
(NAN)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday charged the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, to prioritise transparency and non-violence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, saying credible polls remained the foundation of public trust and democratic stability.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja shortly after administering the oath of office on the new INEC boss, Tinubu said Amupitan’s appointment, confirmed by the Senate a week ago, was a mark of confidence in his competence and character by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“I, therefore, urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the electoral process and the institutional capacity of INEC, and I wish you success on your first assignment in November 2025, which is the governorship election of Anambra state,” Tinubu said.
“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you,” Tinubu said, adding, “This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.”
The President emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy, which has lasted since 1999, had evolved through reforms, innovation, and lessons learned from past challenges.
“Our democracy has come a long way. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our electoral system. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach,” Tinubu noted.
President Tinubu added that while no electoral system was flawless, credibility and transparency at every stage, be it registration, campaigning, voting, and results collation, remained critical to sustaining public trust.
He said, “To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected, all aspects of the process from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non-violent and credible.
“Elections safeguard the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future.
“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”
Tinubu urged Amupitan to prioritise transparency, inclusivity, and non-violence in future polls.
Shortly after the ceremony, Amupitan told State House correspondents that he would uphold the Constitution and engage all stakeholders in the pursuit of credible elections.
“I’ve just taken the oath of allegiance and the oath as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they relate to the electoral system. Like the President said, I have been given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections, and that I will ensure,” he said.
The new INEC boss said his leadership would prioritise collaboration with political parties, civil society organisations, and security agencies.
“No matter how well you design the system, success requires the cooperation of all stakeholders,” he said.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is the longest-serving INEC chairman yet, having overseen the commission since 2015.
He took the oath of office at 1:50 pm at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law at the University of Jos, was confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 2025, following his endorsement by the National Council of State.
The National Council of State had approved his nomination on October 9, two days after Yakubu’s exit.
Since the 1993 cycle, Nigeria’s election umpires have come from a handful of zones. The South-East produced Prof. Humphrey Nwosu from Anambra, who supervised the famed June 12, 1993 polls, and later Prof. Maurice Iwu (Imo), who oversaw the 2007 polls.
The South-South produced multiple chairpersons during the transition years. These include Okon Uya from Cross River, who served briefly after June 12, Sumner Dagogo-Jack from Rivers, who served as NECON chairman under Abacha, Justice Ephraim Akpata from Edo State, who oversaw the 1999 transition and Dr. Abel Guobadia (Edo) in 2003.
From 2010, the tide tilted to the North with the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega from Kano State (North-West), who oversaw the 2011 and 2015 elections and is widely credited with restoring confidence after the 2007 cycle.
He was succeeded by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu from Bauchi (North-East), who conducted the 2019 and 2023 polls, and expanded the use of biometrics and other forms of tech.
Amupitan is the first INEC chief from Kogi, North-Central.
Upon assuming duties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Amupitan vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.
Speaking during his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that fulfilling the commission’s mandate would depend on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the organisation.
The INEC chairman stated that his mission was to conduct free, fair, and credible elections while strengthening democratic values across the country.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
Addressing INEC staff and directors, the university don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
The INEC chairman described the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election as a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.
“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task, and let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
While promising to make staff welfare a central part of his agenda, he acknowledged that the commission’s workforce played a vital role in ensuring credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.
“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the new INEC chairman assured staff members.
Amupitan, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues, who celebrated his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very herculean and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, ‘I don’t envy you.’ But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” he said.
He described his appointment as part of a divine plan.
“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine.
“If God says go, who are you to say ‘I’m not going?’ I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest.
“God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.
Earlier, the Acting Chairman of INEC, May Agbamuche-Mbu, formally transferred the reins to Amupitan.
Congratulating Amupitan on his appointment and swearing-in, she noted that his emergence was “a recognition of your distinguished record as a legal scholar, administrator, and patriot, but also a call to national service of the highest order.”
She reminded him that he was assuming office at a “most crucial time” as the commission prepared for the Anambra governorship election, adding that four National Commissioners were already in the state on a readiness assessment visit.
Acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead, she said, “Elections are the lifeblood of democracy, and the expectations of Nigerians have never been higher.
“However, you are not walking into an empty field. You are stepping onto the firm and fertile ground laid by your predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.”
Agbamuche-Mbu praised Yakubu’s leadership for introducing “landmark innovations, from the BVAS and IReV to the strengthening of institutional transparency and voter confidence.”
Describing the assignment before Amupitan as “a herculean national service,” she expressed confidence in his capacity to lead.
“(It’s) one that demands sacrifice, patience, and unflinching dedication, but I have no doubt that you are equal to the task,” the national commissioner noted.
She presented the handover notes to Amupitan, saying, “May your tenure be marked by wisdom, integrity, innovation, and enduring impact.”
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