NCC to ban SIM registration agents

Commission arrests four over sale of pre-registered cards
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given notice to telecom operators of its intention to ban SIM card registration agents.

The commission has also arrested four persons for allegedly selling pre-registered SIM cards in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday after an enforcement exercise, Assistant Director Enforcement, Mr. Salisu Abdul, said the Commission decided to embark on arrest of suspects after it got reports that people were registering SIM cards and selling them to the public.

He lamented that despite efforts by the commission to mop up unregistered SIM cards, it has reappeared.

Abdul lamented that this poses serious danger by compromising national security.

According to the NCC chief, “We bought unregistered SIM card not only today. Our monitors have come here earlier. They bought the SIM card and tested it and it was found to be active. So, today we have picked up those involved in selling the card.

He explained, “Today we have gone to MTN premises, we are now in Wuse market. For some time, NCC has been trying to apply the SIM regulation, so that all SIMs are duly registered. However, we have been having reports that people are registering SIM cards and selling them to the general public”.

Abdul stated that the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation, at the end of which an action would be taken against them at the federal high court in accordance with the law.

He added, “We have gotten SIM cards of Etisalat MTN and other majors. However, this is just one of the steps being considered by MTN to mop up unregistered SIM cards at the moment.