Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has come under heavy censure over its latest directive with regarding to telecommunication services.
NCC said Nigerians will have to submit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their phones to it from July 2021.
Read Also: Mobile Subscribers To Submit Phone’s IMEI From July, Says NCC
IMEI is an identity number used to uniquely identify a mobile phone. The 15-digit IMEI number is an electronic fingerprint transmitted every time a phone is used, which reveals the identity of the mobile handset.
They are independent of phone numbers and are usually stamped beneath the battery on the back of the handset.
NCC said this directive is to be implemented within three months, as contained in revised national identity policy for SIM card registration which was released on May 11, 2021.
The regulatory body said this in the commission’s Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration.
Read Also: Just In: Issuance Of New SIM Cards To Resume April 19, Says FG
NCC’s move to start the implementation of the Device Management System (a Centralised Equipment Identity Register) is backed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, reacting to the directive, many Nigerians took to social media to express their displeasure.
Some linked the initiative to Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who was recently embroiled in a case of being a terrorism-apologist after his past extremist, radical remarks and fundamentalist views resurfaced on the internet.
They alleged that providing IMEI of phones is dangerous, as the Minister, who is said to have over alleged ties with late Boko Haram leader and global terror group, Al Qaeda, could turn in the vital information to terrorists.
Other claim the Federal Government could use IMEI to track down Nigerians who speak badly about the current administration.
See some reactions from Twitter users below;
The greatest mistake I made was linking my Sim and Nin together however they’ve failed…..
It’s only a Mad Man that will release his MEI/UDID to Buhari Terrorist minsister Isa Pantami they’ve lost my trust completely.They always meant evil for us ALL. pic.twitter.com/LLzPKM8Zua
— Monnyx (@Monnyx4) May 21, 2021
Isa Pantami have access to our NIN, now NCC is mandating Nigerians to submit IMEI of phones from July 2021.
I hope FG won’t be mad if people don’t comply with this IMEI directives, because when people asked for the resignation of Isa Pantami for his extremism, FG didn’t comply.
— UNCLE AJ (@UNCLE_AJALA) May 21, 2021
We did NIN, we did BVN now they want us to drop our phone’s IMEI number.
Very soon they would tell us to put Buhari portrait in our homes for one reason we don’t know yet.
At this stage anyone that believes in this government needs Bigi Apple to get their senses back!! pic.twitter.com/98DlShslXe
— Elder Seun 🇳🇬 (@iamseunalaofin) May 21, 2021
NIN + IMEI registration is a way for the Govt to track down and kill you when you disagree with them.
Stop registering for it.
Even if you did NIN, don’t ever do IMEI registration.
— Ochiagha (@ronaldnzimora) May 21, 2021
I will trek through the evil wilderness of Niger Republic, the dry scorching and dangerous deserts of Libya and serve as a slave for 2 years in Libya before crossing over to Europe to do prostitution than to give Isa Pandemic my IMEI number
— $Hydra (@TheBriDen) May 21, 2021
Isa Pantami; Submit your IMEI number or go to jail?
Nigerians: pic.twitter.com/5RvaMnT9Kx
— Danky🛳 (@CaptDanky) May 21, 2021
The gimmick NCC is trying to play with IMEI is even against what was stated in Section 37 of 1999 constitution as crooked as it is. pic.twitter.com/Dze1LSGCu6
— Ayemojubar 👠 (@ayemojubar) May 21, 2021
I haven’t linked my NIN and I’m definitely not going to submit my IMEI to NCC and Isa Pantami.
Patapata, I will relocate to Togo.
— Elvis Tunde ➐ (@Tunnykvng) May 21, 2021
People who can’t find Shekau want me to give my IMEI to someone who pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda.
Lmao, jokers..
— William (@_SirWilliam_) May 21, 2021
Submit IMEI number? This people want to start tracking us o.
You will dey your house like this and they will burst your door..I don’t think I can do such
— Mayowa olagunju ❁ (@iam_doctormayor) May 21, 2021
Is Isa Pantami sure he won’t be needing our phone’s password, and probably our email password as well.
IMEI won’t be enough o.— Olawale Ebenzy (@ebenzy_) May 21, 2021
There is no single sensible justification for NCC to ask any citizen of this country to submit IMEI of their gadgets. Except we have clueless people at NCC and the presidency. Even at that, there is no justification for this mumu step.
— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) May 21, 2021
Linking your NIN was a MISTAKE, Submitting your IMEI number is your CHOICE, don’t be stupid with your choices.
— ᴋᴏɴʀᴀᴅᴇ (@Komrade_Konrade) May 21, 2021
New Driver’s License – You submit info
New Int. Passport – You submit the same info
New SIM – You submit the same same info
NIN – You submit the same same same infoAll agencies can’t synchronize info.
Now, the twist – You will now submit your phone IMEI to Federal Govt.
— POOJA… (@PoojaMedia) May 21, 2021
Dear @DrIsaPantami,
I shall not be submitting my IMEI to anyone, & I shall NEVER link my NIN to my number.Do your worst.#EndNigeriaToSaveLives#YorubaNationNow
— Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi (@BOGbadamosi) May 21, 2021
No be only IMEI, make them add house address too, relationship status and height pic.twitter.com/QuqOeAQeLu
— MissTOSH (@MissToshPR) May 21, 2021
Since @DrIsaPantami want our IMEI again even after linking NIN, when shall we be submitting our MAC address too? 😡@NigeriaGov has not justified positive use of previous data collections and want to get more. Something sinister is loading.
— Mr. ‘Dipo 🇳🇬 (@edoyakulo) May 21, 2021
From BVN TO NIN now IMEI.
well…na me get my property, Do your worst. We are not Criminals in our own Country. pic.twitter.com/3Ms3moaube— chiukwujioke (@chiukwujioke) May 21, 2021
