The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is going to ask Nigerians to submit their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)

The IMEI will be gotten from through Device Management System should be implemented within three months.

According to ThisNigeria’s finding the NCC is doing this so as to enable the government to track criminals mostly kidnappers, curtail phone thefts and counterfeiting of the mobile phone market among others.

The IMEI is a 15 digits social security or unique number on a phone and other devices which mobile networks can use to track phones.

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To get one’s IMEI just dial *#06# on your phone the IMEI number will be displayed on the screen.

According to the NCC, the President has given his backing to get the IMEI from Nigerians and this should be done within three months.

The NCC said, “With the aim to curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance National Security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, reduce the rate of kidnapping, mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime, and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices, one of the means to achieve this is through the deployment of Device Management System.

“The implementation of a Centralised Equipment Identity Register otherwise known as Device Management System will serve as a repository for keeping records of all registered mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity and owners of such devices.

“With the aim to curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance National Security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, reduce the rate of kidnapping, mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime, and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices, one of the means to achieve this is through the deployment of Device Management System.

“The implementation of a Centralised Equipment Identity Register otherwise known as Device Management System will serve as a repository for keeping records of all registered mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity and owners of such devices.

“IMEIs that have been reported as either stolen or illegal will be shared through the DMS to all the operators and service providers.”