The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has blocked 2.27million SIM cards on directives of the Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Philomena O. Oshodin, the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
The statement noted that the 2,277,311 improperly registered numbers stopped working since 11:59 pm on Wednesday.
“Dr. Pantami has reiterated the need for all improperly registered SIM cards to remain blocked until they are properly registered”, the statement said.
The minister thanked the NCC for working hard to carry out the directive in record time.
He urged them to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the momentum is sustained.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications is collaborating with the relevant parastatals and security Agencies to ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the security of lives and property in the nation is not compromised through the use of SIM card numbers”, the statement added.
“Pursuant to this, Dr. Pantami has directed that the profiles of persons linked to crime, aided and abetted by the use of SIM cards, should be promptly provided to the relevant security agencies when requested and a copy be sent to him for monitoring.
“The Ministry will continue to work with relevant parastatals and security agencies in the background to ensure that SIM card numbers are not used as a platform for committing crime,” the statement ended.
