In a bid to strengthen security and the wellbeing of lives, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has deactivated about 2.2Million improperly registered SIM cards nationwide across all network providers.

The NCC made this known through Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta.

Danbatta said, “We have since initiated the second phase of SIM deactivation based on the Ministerial directive and as at today, we have completely deactivated the remaining 2.2 million lines on the networks.

“This is contrary to reports by a section of the media, suggesting that nothing has been done with respect to the issue of improperly registered SIM cards.

“Following the September 2019 Ministerial directive, however, the NCC, within a week, intensified efforts by reducing the number of improperly registered SIM cards from 9.2 million to 2.2 million.”

The Commission’s vice chairman said this move is aimed at ridding the nation of SIM cards with invalid information or data, and to cut down on untraceable and anonymous accounts. He added that NCC has the power, through the 2019 Ministerial order, to compel network operators to block poorly registered SIM cards, till such owners or customers can properly register their SIM cards.

“As at the time the Ministerial order was issued, the Commission, through its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement team, had reduced the number of improperly-registered SIM cards on mobile networks in the country to 9.2 million.”

Currently, there are over 184 million subscribers in the country.