The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has no plans to shut down all telecom networks, including online transfer facilities of commercial banks ahead of Saturday’s general election.

The NCC described the report on the alleged plans as fraudulent and misleading, adding that all the network services are in optimal performance and will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions during the forthcoming elections.

It made this known via a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the commission, Reuben Muoka.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating 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.

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“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.

“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 will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions, especially at this very crucial period of general election in the country.

“Therefore, all users of telecommunications and banking services utilizing network facilities are assured of continued optimal service delivery before, during, and after the general election in Nigeria,” the NCC noted.

The Star