Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta gave the directive in a leaked memo addressed to one of the telecoms operators. It was stated that the shutdown of the telecoms sites became necessary due to the insecurity in the state.

The statement read “The pervading security situation in Zamfara state has necessitated an immediate shut down of all telecommunications services in the state from today September 03, 2021. This is to enable relevant security agencies to carry out required activities towards addressing the security agencies carry out required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state. This site shutdown is for two (2) weeks (September 03-17,2021) in the first instance. Your urgent action in this regard is required.”

The directive was also given exactly six months after declaring Zamfara State a ‘no-fly zone.

In a press release signed by the Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Uwa Suleiman, he said that the report signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission contained precise figures of improperly registered SIM cards in use around the country.

The Commission in its report disclosed that an estimated nine million two hundred thousand (9.2M) SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration. The investigation which was carried out at the behest of the minister, has exposed for the first time in the Telecomms history of Nigeria, in precise detail, the magnitude of defaulters.

Reacting to the report, the minister expressed concern over the security implication of this discovery and further directed that the Telecomms regulator, should with immediate effect, ensure that all improperly registered numbers are duly reregistered.

To ensure maximum compliance, Dr Pantami, has directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper reregistration procedures.

The security implication of this irregularity is too grave to ignore and the Federal Ministry of Communications will not tolerate any actions or inactions that will compromise the nation’s security.