The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said there was no time it said it will request the submission of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Number from subscribers in July as being speculated in the media.
The Commission in a statement signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs, categorically stated that At no time did the Commission issue a Statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and it has no plans to do so.
The statement explained the reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.
“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS). The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks. The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit the same.
“The general public is advised to disregard the said publications, which have created the erroneous impression that telephone subscribers will be required to register their IMEI with their networks,” the statement said.