Telephone lines which Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) not linked to National Identity Numbers (NIN) have been partially deactivated.

The deactivation order took effect yesterday following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

To effect the order, all outgoing calls by defaulting subscribers have been barred.

About 72.7million lines may be affected by the directive.

A joint statement by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Director of Corporate Communications Mr Kayode Adegoke, announced the decision yesterday.

However, there is an open window for defaulters to do so at designated NIMC centers nationwide.