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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to address persistent criminal activities in the telecommunications sector, including vandalism of telecom equipment and fraudulent Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registrations.
The collaboration was highlighted during a workshop organized by the NCC for senior NSCDC officials in the South-West Zone. The event aimed to explore strategies for leveraging existing laws and guidelines to tackle criminal activities in the sector, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations.
Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, represented by the Commission’s Director of Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, Ephraim Nwokonneya, emphasized the importance of the partnership in securing the telecom industry.
“For years, the NCC has worked closely with law enforcement agencies, particularly the NSCDC, to protect the telecom sector from activities that undermine national security and the sector’s progress,” Danbatta said.
He identified key issues such as theft and vandalism of telecom infrastructure, the use of fraudulently registered SIM cards, unlicensed operations, and illegal call masking as critical areas requiring attention.
Ongoing Efforts and Achievements
Danbatta lauded the efforts of NSCDC personnel in conducting raids, removing fraudulently registered SIM cards from circulation, and raising public awareness about the importance of protecting critical telecom infrastructure. He stressed the need for continuous engagement and capacity-building to tackle emerging challenges in the industry.
“The objective of this workshop is to update NSCDC officers on new trends and existing regulations, ensuring concerted efforts in implementing measures to enhance sanity in the telecom sector,” he added.
Workshop Discussions
The workshop featured presentations from key NCC departments, highlighting the Commission’s enforcement activities, relevant legal frameworks, and the roles of the NSCDC. Salisu Abdu, NCC’s Head of Enforcement, provided an overview of the Commission’s operations and the critical role of collaboration in achieving compliance.
The NCC and NSCDC reiterated their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure and ensuring the sector remains a vital component of the nation’s economy and security framework.
