The Nigerian Government has uncovered individuals with an unusually high number of Subscriber Identification Modules exceeding 100.

The Nigerian Communications Commission disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Reuben Muoka.

The commission said that through “collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000”.

According to NCC, the Number Identity Number and SIM linkage policy which kicked off in 2020 strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services.

“This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth”, the commission stated.

NCC noted that it is committed to working with stakeholders and security agencies to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs endangering National security.

The Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria”, it stated.

This development comes as NCC fixed September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for compliance with NIN-SIM linkage.

NCC noted that it is committed to working with stakeholders and security agencies to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs endangering National security.

“The Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria”, it stated.