The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that it will arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the sale or usage of pre-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards.
According to Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, this decision is consistent with the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 and the Commission’s Regulations on Registration of Telephone Subscribers of 2011.
The NCC regularly conducts monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure that all telecom stakeholders comply with existing laws, regulations, and directives in Nigeria. The Commission has already arrested some suspects, who have been convicted and handed over to law enforcement agencies, according to Muoka.
He reiterated that both the sale and use of fraudulently registered SIM cards are illegal and that such activities are linked to a range of criminal acts, including armed robbery, kidnapping, financial fraud, terrorism, and other offenses.
The NCC urged the public to adhere to SIM card registration laws and guidelines in Nigeria, which prohibit the sale and use of pre-registered SIM cards.