The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned consumers against patronising counterfeited and not-typed approved communication devices.
The Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Dr Reuben Muoka, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Muoka strongly warned that such devices negatively affect the quality of experience while leaving their users vulnerable to losses and other discomforts.
He said that the warning came following the commission’s enforcement activities in Kano where it arrested representatives of three companies responsible for the sales of such devices.
He said that they have handed them over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and further necessary action.
“The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for allegedly selling counterfeited Gionee devices.
“He was also not able to show any evidence of authorisation granted to the company by the commission.
“Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications were also arrested.
“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,” Muoka said.
The NCC’s Head of Enforcement, Malam Salisu Abdu, who led the team, expressed concerns at how the GSM Market on Beirut Street, Kano, was awash with counterfeited and non-type approved phones.
Abdu decried that many of the vendors were not licensed by the commission to provide the types of communication services they were rendering.
“The commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of counterfeit devices is stopped.
“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.
“The non-type-approved phones found during the enforcement included: Gionee branded phones with model numbers G800, and L990.
‘Others were: H-Mobile phones with model numbers it5606+, H351; FoxKong with model numbers F30, F300; and KGTEL phones with model numbers K2160 and KG1100.