The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed the discovery of a syndicate engaged in the illegal issuance of fake National Identity Numbers (NIN) to unsuspecting Nigerians. The commission disclosed that these individuals, impersonating NIMC staff, have been arrested and are undergoing prosecution.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Director General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, unveiled the extent of the fraud and the measures being taken to combat it. She emphasized the importance of the NIN as a unique identifier crucial for various government initiatives aimed at enhancing security and service delivery.
Detailing the operation of the syndicate, Coker-Odusote explained how they masquerade as business vendors and cyber cafes, fabricating fake NINs and exploiting unsuspecting individuals. She warned the public to be vigilant and cautious, urging citizens to verify the authenticity of any NIN-related services.
“We have arrested offenders who have perfected the act of mimicking NIMC’s operations,” she stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The Director General underscored the commission’s commitment to ensuring data integrity and combating cybercrimes. “We don’t have any internal data breaches because we have one of the best in the world,” she affirmed.
Coker-Odusote also addressed the issue of extortion and data breaches, citing instances where individuals were scammed into paying exorbitant fees for fraudulent services. She reassured the public of ongoing efforts to digitize operations and enhance the efficiency of identity management processes.
Furthermore, she announced plans to upgrade the capacity of NIMC’s database from 100 million to 250 million within the next nine months. This expansion aims to streamline identity management and facilitate the creation of a centralized identity database for the country.
Regarding the issuance of the General Multipurpose National Identity Card, Coker-Odusote clarified that Nigerians would pay a nominal fee through financial institutions for access to the new card, similar to accessing ATM cards. She emphasized the importance of streamlining identity verification processes and ensuring the integrity of identity data.