NCC uncovers cyber threats to Windows platforms, routers - ITREALMS

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The Computer Security Incidents Response Team (CSIRT) set up by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the telecoms sector, has discovered two new separate cyber threats targeting Windows Platforms and a particular kind of routers respectively.

The discoveries were made known in two separate advisories released by the cyber-space protection team earlier this week.

Sanction looms: NCC uncovers multiple illegal deductions by mobile operators - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has uncovered large volume of forceful and illegal deductions by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country, insisting that consumers must be refunded, reports ITREALMS.

NCC, in a public statement sighted by ITREALMS, the Commission noted that as a consumer-centric regulator, its dismayed by this act by MNOs with great displeasure.

The Commission said this is unacceptably high level of consumer complaints in respect of forceful subscriptions to Value-Added Services (VAS), as well as airtime deductions for these subscriptions.

ITREALMS gathered that NCC mandated several initiatives to tackle the menace, stressing these included the institution of a comprehensive investigation and resolution process, the Do-not-Disturb (DND) facility, and the imposition of sanctions for breach.

Additionally, NCC said, disturbed by the persistent occurrence of the menace despite these measures, it had carried out a long and comprehensive investigative audit into VAS subscriptions across all MNO and VAS platforms.

The investigative audit was led by the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the Commission, with participation from its other Departments such as the Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI), Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB), Legal & Regulatory Services (LRS), and Licensing & Authorisation (L&A).

The Audit Team analyzed subscribers’ Call Detail Records from MNOs and subscription logs from VAS providers over a period of two years, leading to the conclusion that a huge percentage of VAS services were not voluntarily subscribed for. The audit team also found that some providers had implemented disingenuous mechanisms by which large numbers of innocent consumers were “forcefully” subscribed to VAS platforms, leading to regular deduction of their airtime without their consent.

As all Stakeholders are aware, the Commission has persistently insisted that actions of this sort are unacceptable as they are in direct breach of the Nigerian Communications Act and NCC’s many regulatory instruments on the matter. Such actions also undermine the very foundations of the customer/service provider relationship, that is, transparency and trust.

Based on the outcome of the investigative audit, the Commission will shortly be directing the indicted organisations to make refunds to affected consumers as appropriate. The Commission is also considering, and will impose appropriate sanctions as necessary. This outcome justifies the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based interventions.

We wish to use this opportunity to inform the general public that the Commission may suspend or outrightly decommission some VAS platforms and services in the overall interests of consumers. We assure consumers that these measures will be implemented with minimal inconvenience to them, and trust that we can count on the understanding of consumers who may be affected by these measures.

The Commission assures all Stakeholders that we will continue to use all available resources to protect the rights of consumers of telecoms services and to ensure that they get appropriate value for their interactions with service and platform providers.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Police uncovers Badoo shrine

ITREALMS:

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a shrine at Ayegbami quarters in Imosan axis of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, where the suspected Badoo cult members take oath before going on operations, reports ITRealms.

Affirming this, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, said the shrine was discovered in joint operations by the Command, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Lagos State task force based on arrest of some suspected Badoo cult members.

The dreaded cult group, he said, was arrested while trying to escape through the waterways.

According to him, one of the suspects gave a clue to the shrine location where the suspects come to take an oath before going on operation. 

In a swift reaction, the owner of the shrine, Fatai Adebayo, 34 years, admitted owning the place but said the piece of stone discovered is for grinding pepper.

However, Adebayo’s mother, Toyin Ogunyemi who was also at the scene, said her son was not a ritual killer but only prescribes healing drugs to the needy.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness, the Olumosan, Chief Tajudeen Adekunle Muili  condemned the existence of such a shrine in his domain and ordered immediate destruction, whereas applauding the security agencies.

Gbemi Ayandokun Omotoso/GEE with additional report from NAN

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Pix: CP Edgal Imohimi

FRSC uncovers Indian hemp in apprehended vehicle

ITRealms:

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has uncovered some packs of Indian hemp in apprehended vehicle, reports ITRealms.

Confirming this to ITRealms, the Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, said  that its patrol team had apprehended and impounded a vehicle along Seme-Badagry Border for Seatbelt Violation and Driver Licence Violation, only to discover that the said vehicle was conveying  a large quantity of Indian Hemp into Nigeria.

According to Kazeem, the Badagry Unit Command of FRSC on patrol operations  along the route intercepted the vehicle with vehicle number, EPE 237 XC at 0845hrs and had already established the two offences before making the discovery with the collaborative effort of the Nigerian Customs who were equally on the same route with their patrol team.

The Vehicle is presently with the Comptroller Custom Seme for further investigations before it would be handed over to the appropriate drug law authority for contravening the law against drug peddling.

He also stated that it is in view of this great mark of achievement which is targeted at keeping the society sane as a security outfit that the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, continues to call for a stronger collaboration with sister agencies.

He recalled that not long ago, the Corps had intercepted a vehicle convening children (minors) through Kaduna with some suspected child traffickers who were consequently handed over to the relevant authorities. And in the same Kaduna, the FRSC rescue team had equally recovered five locally made AK 47 rifles from a man whose vehicle was involved in a crash.

Against this backdrop, Kazeem stated that the Corps Marshal is pleased to see that the officers and men of the Corps have so far been demonstrating the willingness to make the rules of engagement with sister agencies viable and more diligent in their duties combined with maintenance of security and safety as it relates to the motoring public.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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