The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has clarified the news making the rounds that subscribers will be required to submit their phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Numbers to the commission by July.
In a press release by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the commission said subscribers would not be required to submit their phones’ IMEI.
Instead, the IMEI will be captured automatically for the purpose of the Device Management System (DMS) which is meant to protect subscribers against phone theft, among other things.
The statement reads in part: “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 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 Devise 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 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.
