On Monday, a large mob vandalized a section of the property belonging to the mobile telephone network operator, MTN, located in Festac Town, Lagos State. This troubling incident reportedly stemmed from frustrations among customers after MTN took the action of blocking their SIM cards just the day before.
In a video footage obtained by Vanguard, a group of MTN customers can be seen actively protesting to express their dissatisfaction with the recent blockade of their SIM cards. Their visible anger and disappointment indicate the seriousness of the situation, as they seek to voice their concerns regarding the network provider’s actions.
During the chaos, a small group of youths was observed vandalizing one area of the MTN office situated in Festac Town, further escalating the unrest and highlighting the intensity of the protesters’ feelings. In addition to this incident in Lagos, hundreds of MTN customers in Osun State also took to the streets to stage a protest near Dada Estate, where the service provider’s head office is located within the state.
Many of the individuals participating in the demonstration claimed they had arrived at the office as early as 6 a.m., hoping to resolve the issues surrounding their blocked SIM cards. The network provider had reportedly taken this drastic measure due to inconsistencies involving individuals’ National Identification Numbers (NIN). This issue has left numerous customers feeling disconnected and frustrated.
To amplify their demands for assistance, the protesters decided to block the busy Osogbo-Iwo Road which leads into the Oke-Fia area of the state capital. This action resulted in significant disruption and gridlock, affecting vehicle movement and contributing to a tense atmosphere in the area.
The diverse group of customers participating in this protest included elderly men and women, many pregnant women, and other individuals, including civil servants, all visibly angered by the lack of attention and assistance they received from the workers within the MTN office. Their collective disappointment reflects broader issues regarding customer service and communication that many feel need to be addressed by the network provider in a timely manner.
