The Nigerian Communications Commission on Friday warned against the use of unregistered SIM cards by Nigerians saying the organisation is now poised to enforce the law making the practice illegal.
The warning followed three days of raids by operatives of the enforcement units of the Commission in Minna Zungeru and Kontagora towns of Niger state.
The enforcement team which was led by the Assistant Chief Enforcement Officer Mr. Shuaibu Tswade took the team to most of the retail outlets where SIM cards and other handset set accessories were sold in these towns.
The team apprehended five suspects in Minna and one in Zungeru town
Those arrested were handed over to the police for prosecution if they could not pay the N200,000 fine provided in the law.
Tswade said the raid would be carried out across the 36 states of the federation adding that the exercise started in Abuja where 4 suspects were apprehended.
“Several SIM cards which were not registered were confiscated during the raids in these towns” he said.
The Assistant Enforcement Officer said security reports had shown that criminal elements in the country now use unregistered SIM cards to perpetrate their nefarious activities’.
“‘There is nowhere in the world where it is allowed for unregistered SIM cards to be used by telephone subscribers.”
He said the NCC was collaborating with the police and other security agencies in the country to ensure that Nigerians obeyed the law.
Tswade therefore asked Nigerians to ensure they registered their SIM cards with the mobile telephone company of their choice and resist the temptation of patronizing quacks which could put them into trouble.
Some of those arrested it was observed were hawkers of recharge and SIM cards who claimed they were not engaged in the illegal business.
