FG To Link SIM Cards With BVN To Curb Crime

According to an outrageous report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami, announced that the verification of 9.4 million SIM cards revealed that one person owns 57 registered SIM cards on one network.

After the reports, Mr Isa Pantami suggested that Telecommunication companies should ensure that the Subscriber Identification Number (SIM) cards registration is linked with the National Identification Card (ID card) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

The minister reached this new resolution during the inauguration of Mr Adeolu Akande, as the governing board chairman of the NCC, and Mr Uche Onwude, as the non-executive commissioner, in Abuja.

He explained that this new plan will help to deter criminal activities in Nigeria and ensure the safety of citizens in the country.

‘‘Try to see how our SIM card registration will be linked up to our national identification card. We cannot allow criminals to continue to use telecom networks to perpetrate crimes.

“Many lives will be lost if we do not do this. Let us ensure our country is protected and ensure that our platform is not used to commit crimes. We do hope you will hit the ground running,” he said.

It was also revealed in September last year that telecommunications companies were asked to review the registration of about 9.4 million sim cards across the country that were suspected to have been improperly registered.

Mr Pantami said the Federal Government had requested for the review of improperly registered SIM cards so as to curb the increase in the number of kidnappings and other forms of crimes in the country.