The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has described as fraudulent a message on the social media that there is a plan to shut down all telecoms networks and online transfer, ahead the elections.
The commission stated this in a release by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, advising Nigerians to ignore such a message.
NCC stated that the malicious and subversive message originated from and was circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society.
It therefore advised the Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services and banks to ignore the message and other related ones.
“The attention of the NCC has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms.
“It insinuated that there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks and relevant ICT Units, including online transfer facilities of the banks, with effect from today, February 23, 2023.
“The Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services, and all bank customers are advised to ignore these or similar messages that insinuate deliberate network shutdown or disruption of services in the Nigerian telecom network,” it was stated in the release.
The commission further stated that the message was being spread with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace.
“These malicious and subversive messages originated and are being circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace.
“The commission has received unequivocal assurances from all the service providers to the effect that all the network services are currently in optimal performance.
“And [they] will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions, especially at this very crucial period of general elections in the country,” it added.
The commission therefore assured all users of telecommunications and banking services of uninterrupted service delivery before, during and after the elections.
“All users of telecommunications and banking services utilising network facilities are assured of continued optimal service delivery before, during, and after the general elections in Nigeria,” it added.
