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Block SIM cards minutes after reportedly stolen, NCC tells telcos

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Block SIM cards minutes after reportedly stolen, NCC tells telcos

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has mandated that all telecommunications companies (telcos) block stolen subscriber identification module (SIM) cards within five minutes of receiving a report from subscribers.

The NCC has stated that any subsequent usage of the stolen SIM should not incur charges for the consumer from the time the report is made. In its recent publication, ‘Quality of Service Business Rules,’ released in August 2024, the NCC also unveiled several new standards designed to enhance customer service in the telecommunications sector. These guidelines establish minimum service standards, relevant measurements, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for telecom operators.

A key requirement outlined in the new regulations is that telecommunications companies (telcos) must ensure that subscribers receive assistance within 30 minutes of arriving at service centers.

“It must not exceed 30 minutes. The licensee shall provide means of measuring the waiting time, starting from the time of arrival at the premises,” NCC said.

The commission has also introduced additional improvements to customer service interactions beyond reducing wait times.

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The NCC stipulated that customers must be able to speak with a live representative within five minutes.

It said: “Maximum number of call-attempts before connecting to customer care lines should not be more than three (3) times,” the commission said.

“Maximum number of rings before a call is answered by either an IVR machine or a live agent should not be more than five.

“Where a customer decides to speak to a live agent, the maximum duration allowable on the queue/IVR should be 5 minutes before answer.

“In exceptional cases where live agent may be unavailable within 5 minutes to answer the call, a customer should be given an option to hanging up to be called back within a maximum time of 30 minutes.”

Concerning internet services, the NCC has stated that internet outages should not last longer than two hours. The regulator specified that outages exceeding this duration should only occur in cases of lawful disconnection.

Additionally, the commission issued warnings regarding the deactivation of subscriber lines. The NCC indicated that if a subscriber’s line is inactive and not used for any revenue-generating activity for a year, it is at risk of being blocked.

The regulator advised subscribers to request line parking if they have valid reasons for not using their lines, in order to prevent losing their numbers. “A subscriber line may be deactivated if it has not been used within six months for a revenue-generating event (RGE). If the situation persists for another 6 months, the subscriber may lose his/her number, except for network-related faults inhibiting an RGE,” NCC said.

The NCC stated that these measures are aimed at advancing its goals of developing and monitoring performance standards and metrics related to the quality of telephone and other communication services in the country.

Block SIM cards minutes after reportedly stolen, NCC tells telcos

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Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport

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Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport

Nigerian deportees from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrived in the country, as revealed by the  Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

The deportees, numbering 400, were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday.

ImageAccording to reports, officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant stakeholders received them.

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Sharing information about the arrival on X, the aforementioned news platform penned: “Four hundred Nigerians, including 90 females and 310 males, have been deported from the United Arab Emirates back to Nigeria.

“They were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders.”

Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport

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Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace

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Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace, aiming to reinforce diplomatic ties and partnerships between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to presidential aide Segun Dada, the discussions centered on deepening the long-standing relationship between both nations.

This visit marks the second time President Tinubu and King Charles have met, following their initial encounter in November 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, UAE.

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While specific details of their discussions were not disclosed, the ongoing engagement between Nigeria and the UK underscores shared interests in addressing global challenges and fostering economic development.

This high-level interaction reflects the importance both countries place on collaboration in areas such as trade, climate action, and international diplomacy.

Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace

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Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US

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Christopher Agbaje

Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US

A Nigerian citizen, has been found guilty of aiding in an attempt to defraud a North Dakota law firm through false digital transfers. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, between November and December of 2020, Christopher Agbaje, along with others, purported to be a business owner in a legal dispute with a Bismarck company, and entered into a fake attorney-client relationship with the firm. After a series of false statements and promises, the firm received a parcel containing a fraudulent Citibank check payable in the amount of $198,850.00, which was deposited in their bank account. At the purported business owner’s request, the firm then sent a $198,336.68 wire transfer to Agbaje’s business partner.

After the transfer, Agbaje directed his partner to initiate a fake $180,000 international transfer to conceal the money’s location, ownership, and control. Upon hearing that law enforcement officers were actively conducting a fraud investigation on the transfer, he reportedly instructed his business partner to “gain leverage”, “press on”, and “claim naivety.”

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Agbaje was originally extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota in February 2024, where he faced five different charges. While he was cleared of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud in May, the suspect was also found guilty of Money Laundering, Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud, and Aiding and Abetting Mail Fraud.On September 11, Agbaje was sentenced to 142 months in prison, and must pay the firm $188,935.74 in restitution.“This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice,” United States Attorney Mac Schneider said. “When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo.”

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that no fraud scheme is beyond the reach of justice, no matter its complexity or scope,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Those who engage in fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and decisive action. The FBI will continue to work with partners across the globe to protect the financial security of the American people from those who seek to exploit it.”

Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US

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