The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has arrested some dealers of counterfeited and non-approved type devices in the city of Kano after several raids by its enforcement team.
The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for selling counterfeit Gionee devices and not being able to show any evidence of authorization granted to the company by the Commission.
Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications were also arrested because they were not licenced to engage in the sales and installation of terminal equipment and were unable to show any evidence of authorization from the Commission in that connection.
The NCC’s Head of Enforcement, Mallam Salisu Abdu, who led the team, expressed concerns at how the GSM Market on Beirut Street, Kano, was awash with counterfeit and non-type approved phones.
Abdu bemoaned the fact that many of the vendors were not licensed by the Commission to provide such communication service they rendered.
The non-type-approved phones found during the enforcement include Gionee branded phones with model numbers G800, and L990; H-Mobile phones with model numbers it5606+, H351; FoxKong with model numbers F30, F300; and KGTEL phones with model numbers K2160 and KG1100.
In the same light, the (NCC) has cautioned consumers against the patronage and use of counterfeit and non-type approved devices. The commission strongly warns that such devices negatively affects the quality of experience while leaving their users vulnerable to losses and other discomforts.
The warning follows the Commission’s enforcement activities in Kano where it arrested the representatives of three companies responsible for the sale of counterfeit as well as non-type-approved devices,
The suspects has since been handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and further necessary action.
The Commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of counterfeit devices is stopped.
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Earlier warnings from the NCC
The NCC has already expressed concern over the rising use of subpar mobile phones and other telecom devices in the nation.
In 2019, the Commission bemoaned the circulation of counterfeited phones in the market and warned users to be wary and careful of the phones to purchase from vendors. According to it, the warning became necessary to guide unsuspecting users against the inherent dangers in using such outlawed devices infiltrating the market.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, gave the warning during a sensitization workshop in Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja, tagged: “Stakeholders Sensitization Workshop on the Hazardous Effect of Non-type Approved Handsets and Impact on Quality of Service and e-waste”.
He said the sensitization programme was part of the Commission’s deliberate move to educate and create awareness on the hazardous health effects and negative economic implications of the patronage of fake handsets and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices in the country.
The NCC will collaborate with market associations to ensure that appropriate licences are obtained by vendors and assist in apprehending the major dealers and suppliers of counterfeit devices.
Read also: NCC Announces Publication of Final Information Memorandum on 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction
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