Ibadan — Mr Efosa Idehen, Head of Enforcement of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians to desist from patronising hawkers of pre-registered SIM cards.

Idehen told newsmen in Ibadan that those who purchased pre-registered SIM cards were sabotaging government's efforts and would henceforth be prosecuted accordingly.

"Except you have criminal intentions, you don't need to purchase pre-registered SIM card that does not bear your real data," Idehen said.

He said the data capturing of SIM cards had enormous usefulness, adding that it assisted government in planning as well as aiding the work of the security agencies.

Idehen said the data would also help the NCC in getting the statistical numbers of phone users in the country at a given time.

He said the NCC was on the look out for violators, adding that those arrested for hawking the cards would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

"SIM cards cannot be activated without the data of the buyer being captured, therefore, Nigerians should always reject cards which activate immediately after purchase without data being captured," he said.

The three culprits have been arrested by the enforcement team in the Southwest and were handed over to the Police for prosecution.

Speaking on the NCC' s recent case against a branch of First Bank Plc for illegal use of frequency, Idehen said the matter had been handed over to the police for prosecution.

NAN