Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, has deactivated 2.2 million improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards from all telecommunication networks nationwide.
Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, announced this in a statement in Abuja by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr Henry Nkemadu.
Danbatta said the commission’s efforts in this regard was in line with a key agenda of President Muhammad Buhari to strengthen security of lives and property for all Nigerians.
The executive vice chairman explained that this would ensure that the over 184 million registered SIM cards currently on Mobile Network Operators networks had valid data that were traceable and not anonymous.
Danbatta recalled that over the years, the NCC had worked with determination and through various policy initiatives to rid mobile networks of improperly or invalidly registered SIM cards.
According to him, our efforts received a boost, following the implementation of a September 12, 2019 ministerial directive that the NCC should compel service providers to block all improperly-registered SIM cards, pending when their owners regularize their registration.