The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Mobile Network Operators to immediately halt the sale and activation of new SIM cards to allow an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director, Public Affairs Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC said it was necessary for operators to comply until the audit exercise had been concluded.
Adinde said Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, directed the commission to embark on an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
He said the directive became necessary given the preponderance of pre-registered SIMs with the attendant security implications associated with the use of same to facilitate criminal activities.
The use of mobile phones by criminals, including kidnappers who use them to negotiate ransom for their victims, has raised concerns among Nigerians, who wonder why such criminals cannot be tracked..
Adinde explained however that an exemption might be granted following approval from the Federal Government through the commission.
The commission warned that that non-compliance with the directive would be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.
Adinde said the audit would help to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise.
According to him, the audit exercise was aimed to ensure compliance to set quality standards and requirements by mobile network operators.
