The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will any moment from now disconnect 9.2 million mobile lines.

This followed a directive from the Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami, to the telecommunications regulator to effect disconnection on improperly registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

A statement from spokesperson to the Minister, Uwa Suleiman, said the NCC had submitted its baseline short-term performance targets report to the Minister on assumption of office.

“The report Signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission contained precise figures of improperly registered SIM cards in use around the country. The Commission in its report, disclosed that an estimated 9.2million SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration. The investigation, which was carried out at the behest of the minister, has exposed for the first time in the Telecoms history of Nigeria, in precise detail, the magnitude of defaulters,” the statement read.

Reacting to the report, the Minister was said to have expressed concern over the security implication of this discovery and further directed that the Telecoms regulator, should with immediate effect, ensure that all improperly registered numbers are duly reregistered.

“To ensure maximum compliance, Dr Pantami, has directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper registration procedures.”

The minister noted that the security implication of the irregularity is too grave to ignore, adding that the Ministry would not tolerate any actions or inactions that would compromise the nation’s security.(New Telegraph)

Update news