The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed Mobile Network Operators to immediately suspend the sale and activation of new SIM cards to allow an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.

The Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement on Wednesday, said this was needed for operators to comply until the audit exercise had been concluded.

Adinde noted that the order was given by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

He, however, said an exemption might be granted following approval from the Federal Government through the commission.