SIM-NIN Linkage: Terrorists, bandits find it difficult to access telcom services – NCC

The ongoing enforcement of SIM linkage with the National Identity Number linkage policy by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has made it difficult for terrorists and bandits to access telecommunication services in the country.

This was made known by the Director of Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Ephraim Nwokonanya, who was represented by Alkasim Umar, head Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement of the Commission at
at a one-day Capacity Building for members of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter at the Commission Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday, April 28.

Speaking on the NIN-SIM linkage, Umar said, the Menace of Network Booster Devices, other Compliance, Monitoring Enforcement issues of the Commission, noted that there is appreciable progress in NIN-SIM linkage policy meant to address rising cases of insurgency, kidnapping and banditry in the country.

He explained that NIN-SIM implementation has been a potent tool in addressing the Nation’s insecurity challenges.

“Yes, we are making progress. The only challenge we are faced with now is, if they kidnap you, I mean the bandits, they use your number to call. They will never use their phone lines. It is the kidnapped person’s phone number they use to call and switch it off immediately. They can keep you at a different place and make calls somewhere else. If a phone is off, there is no way one can trace it. It’s a big challenge.

“Even in the National Assembly someone brought this up, to ban all kidnappers’ lines, some people objected, that if they use a person number to make calls why can’t Federal Government block the terrorists/bandits phone numbers.

“Then someone rose up to say there will be more killings, this is because kidnappers are after victims’ money so there is no way it will curb the problem. But now there is progress, because they are being denied of SIM cards,” he stated.