The Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, on Monday warned against the sale and usage of phone-jamming devices in the country.
Ojobo issued the warning in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
He said the attention of the commission had been drawn to the illegal sale and installation of such devices in several locations, including but not limited to religious places and business premises.
According to him, it is a criminal offence to sell, install or use any equipment, which may hinder network operation between places and people.
The NCC spokesman cautioned persons who were selling, installing or using such devices to desist from the act, as it was affecting the proper functioning of the networks.
Ojobo said, “The commission, therefore, warns any person who sells, installs or uses such devices in their shops, offices, religious places, house or business premises. Such persons should within seven days from the date of this notice desist from this illegal and unauthorised act by stopping the sale, installation or use of such devices.
“The jamming devices should be deactivated, removed and handed over to the nearest police station for record and keep.”
He said that the issuance of the warning was in exercise of the NCC’s mandate of ensuring the protection of consumers, good quality of service and technical standards.
The director said the notice served as pre-enforcement warning to any institution, organisation or persons involved in the illegal activities.
He said that the consequences of non-compliance with the notice might include seizure, detention, investigation and prosecution of any person or organisation involved in the contravention.
