Kano Becoming Breeding Ground Of Unregistered SIM Card – Danbatta
TECH DIGEST– The Nigeria Communications Commission has expressed concern over the activities of the purchase and activation of unregistered SIM cards in Kano State, declaring the act as a grievous threat to personal safety and national security architecture.
Executive Vice-Chairman of the commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta who gave the warning at the weekend while briefing journalists in Kano regretted the recent proliferation of the heinous crime across the country with Kano fast becoming a breeding ground.
Professor Danbatta who revealed the arrest of another syndicate who was found in possession of hundreds of unregistered SIM card in Kano maintained that NCC has widened its intelligent dragnet to capture the clicks peddling the circulation just as he reminded of existing legal implication and penalty against any service provider who declined to deactivate unregistered SIM on their networks.
“ Let me appeal to subscribers never to purchase unregistered SIM or when purchased they refuse to register. It is advisable to buy registered SIM or register the SIM the very moment you purchase. It is clearly illegal to activate unregistered SIM and it is very important for people to know the security risk.
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“ We have directed the service providers to ensure a conducive atmosphere is provided for people to register their SIM and I want to believe they are doing so. NCC will not rest until we apprehend those who specialize in this crime. Security agents are working round the clock to ensure they are brought to book”.
Although Professor Danbatta disclosed a record of 43.3 per cent broadband penetrations and 88 million network subscribers as at August 2020, he acknowledged challenges Nigerians are still encountering on the high cost of data tariff and poor connectivity in some parts of the country.
The NCC boss however assured that the commission has set 2020/2025 a new framework to provide efficient connectivity through deployment of fibre networks to strength broadband connectivity across the country.
He explained that the government is presently addressing challenges of fibre capacity that will channel network from Lagos down to the hinterland and issuance of an operational license to more companies that will support the existing firms to rebuild the communication infrastructure.
The executive vice-chairman stressed that NCC will soon complete the construction of the digital park in Kano and other geopolitical zones to create employment opportunities for teeming youths through the building of requisite digital skills.
When fully operational, Professor Danbatta posited that the park will develop the digital capacity of the youths to produce mobile applications for the growing telecom and ICT industries thereby boosting economic stability and reducing youth unrest in the country.
