The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has exposed alarming cases of SIM card hoarding, with some individuals possessing upwards of 100,000 SIMs.
According to NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, in a statement on Wednesday, these findings underscore the potential threats to national security posed by such extensive SIM ownership and emphasize the importance of completing the NIN-SIM linkage process.
This discovery highlights significant flaws in SIM registration and underscores the need for strict enforcement of the Federal Government's 2020 policy requiring SIM-NIN linkage.
Currently, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting a 96% compliance rate, a significant increase from the 69.7% recorded in January 2024.
The NCC disclosed that through “collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000”
The Commission said it is committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
“To ensure full compliance with the NIN SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024,” it said.
“Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.”
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