Nigeria government dismisses 'killer' phone number

[September 16, 2011]  LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Nigeria's government is assuring people in Africa's most populous nation: a phone call can't kill you.

A text message has spread across the oil-rich country in recent days, warning that people will die if they answer mobile phone calls from 09141. The widespread fear forced the Nigerian Communications Commission to issue a statement Wednesday saying it is "unimaginable that somebody will die while receiving a call."

Commission spokesman Reuben Muoka says: "It is only very gullible people that will believe such a rumor."

Text message panics in Nigeria have included rumors of bombings and rumors that acid rain from seasonal dust storms can burn people alive. The campaigns are aided by poor education and lack of faith in the government.

A call to the number Thursday resulted in no fatalities.

[Associated Press]

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