The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has uncovered a syndicate engaged in the illicit sale of counterfeit National Identification Numbers (NINs), impersonating NIMC personnel.
The revelation came to light during a press briefing held by the NIMC Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, who disclosed that the commission had apprehended several suspects involved in the fraudulent scheme.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from a customer who claimed to have paid ₦120,000 to alter her birth certificate, prompting NIMC to delve deeper into the matter. According to Coker-Odusote, the syndicate operated by posing as business vendors and cyber cafe operators, deceiving unsuspecting individuals by fabricating NINs and offering illicit services outside of official channels.
The director-general revealed that these fake NINs were not registered in the NIMC database, leaving victims vulnerable to scams and extortion.
Despite efforts to crack down on the syndicate, the exact number of individuals under interrogation was not disclosed. However, Coker-Odusote assured that once investigations were concluded, the perpetrators would face prosecution for their involvement in cybercrimes.
In addition to combating fraudulent activities, NIMC continues to expand its database, with over 107.34 million Nigerians enrolled in the NIN system as of May 2024, marking an increase from 104 million in December 2023.
The NIN has emerged as a crucial identifier, integral to various government initiatives aimed at bolstering security, governance, and service delivery.
Furthermore, Coker-Odusote emphasized the importance of integrating identity databases across government agencies to establish a centralized identity system.
Efforts are underway to synchronize the identity databases of ministries, departments, and agencies with NIMC, streamlining identity management processes for enhanced efficiency and security nationwide.
