NIN-SIM linkage: Bandits’ phones have been barred, we’re making progress – NCC

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the nationwide implementation of the National Identity Numbers (NIN) linkage with the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) is yielding positive results as it is preventing bandits from using their phones.

NCC Director of Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Ephraim Nwokonanya, made this known on Friday through his representative, Head of compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Alkasim Umar.

Speaking during a capacity building workshop held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, NCC said the NIN-SIM linkage policy has denied terrorists and bandits access to telecommunication services.

He explained; “What they now do is to use the phones of their victims to communicate while keeping victims in far places. But with time, their methods would not save them.

“Yes, we are making progress. The only challenge we are faced with now is if they kidnap you, they use your number to call. They will never use their phones 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 phone calls somewhere else. If a phone is off, there is no way one can trace it. It’s a big challenge.”