FG Orders Mobile Networks to Block 9.2million Unregistered SIMs
The Federal Government has directed all mobile network operators to block all SIM cards that did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration.
Contained in a press statement signed by Uwa Suleiman the spokesperson of the Honourable Minister for Communications, the minister instructed the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure the directive is obeyed.
The NCC in its baseline short-term performance target report submitted to the Honourable Minister, disclosed that an estimated 9.2 million SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration.
According to the statement, “the Minister expressed concern over the security implication of this discovery and further directed that the Telecoms regulator, should with immediate effect, ensure that all improperly registered numbers are duly registered.
“To ensure maximum compliance, Dr. Pantami, has directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration procedures.
“The security implication of this irregularity is too grave to ignore and the Federal Ministry of Communications will not tolerate any actions or inactions that will compromise the nation’s security.”
According to the statement, this is the first time in the Telecoms history of Nigeria that an investigation is exposing in precise details, the magnitude of defaulters as it concerns SIM card registration.