The National Identity Management Commission has cautioned Nigerians against disclosing their National Identification Numbers to unauthorised individuals or organisations in exchange for monetary compensation.
The warning followed reports that some residents in Anambra State were being lured to submit their NINs for money, a practice the Commission described as illegal and punishable under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the Data Protection Act, and the Cybercrime Act.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Corporate Communications of the Commission, Dr Kayode Adegoke, the NIMC said the illegal activity had been brought to its attention and that arrests had already been made in collaboration with security agencies.
“The National Identity Management Commission has been notified of the activities of unauthorised individuals or organisations purportedly asking for the submission of the National Identification Number of Anambra residents in exchange for money,” the statement read.
“Upon receiving the information on the activities of the unscrupulous individuals, NIMC, in conjunction with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, swiftly arrested the culprits behind the illegal collection of the NIN. They are currently being interrogated and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The Commission emphasised that neither it nor the Federal Government had authorised the collection or use of NINs by third parties for financial incentives, adding that any individual or group found engaging in such activities would be sanctioned accordingly.
“At no time should NIN holders give out their NINs for monetary compensation. This is against the laws of the Federation. Anyone caught will be dealt with appropriately,” it warned.
