"It is a criminal offence to buy pre-registered SIM Cards" - NCC warns telecom consumers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has once again called on telecom consumers to heed the warning of the Commission and stop patronising sellers of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards that have been pre-registered because anyone found using (or selling or otherwise transacting with) such SIM cards will be fined and jailed upon conviction.

Amina Shehu, Director Zonal Operations at NCC, stated this in Gboko, Benue State, yesterday at a sensitization forum focused on educating consumers about issues in telecommunication in Nigeria.

Khadijah Abari, Principal Manager, Zonal Operations at NCC head office who represented Shehu, told the participants that those who trade in and use pre-registered SIM cards pose serious threat to our individual and collective safety because such criminal elements hide their real identities while using such SIM cards to perpetrate nefarious activities such as kidnapping and financial crimes in the society.

Abari therefore urged the participants to report infractions of the SIM registration laws and guidelines to law enforcement agencies because it is a noble civic responsibility to do so and a worthy support to NCC's effort in eradicating such dangerous activities in our society.