The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed it is creating a system that would allow it to automatically retrieve citizens’ phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.

WUZUPNIGERIA had reported earlier that the NCC issued a directive from its National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration, ordering Nigerians to submit the IMEI of their mobile devices within three months.

The move has since attracted widespread criticism from Nigerians on social media as they raise concerns over the security implications of access to the IMEI of citizens’ mobile devices.

However, in a statement released on Friday afternoon, the NCC noted that subscribers are not required to submit IMEI numbers.

According to the NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, the commission is “in the process of deploying a Devise Management System (DMS)” which would “capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same.”

Adinde noted that the DMS will protection for subscribers against phone theft as well as the identification and elimination of fake devices from the networks.

“The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission has been drawn to several media publications to the effect that the Commission will require Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their phones to it from July, 2021.

“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.”