National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has announced that law enforcement officials have arrested suspects engaged in illegal National Identity Number (NIN) collection activities in Anambra State.
The arrests were made in a joint operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following reports that individuals in the state were collecting NINs from residents in exchange for money. The development raised serious concerns over data privacy and the misuse of sensitive personal information.
Dr. Kayode Adegoke, the spokesperson for NIMC, released a statement on Wednesday, revealing that the Commission received credible information about the illicit scheme and acted quickly to address it.
“Upon receiving the information on the activities of the unscrupulous individuals, NIMC, in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), swiftly arrested the culprits behind the illegal collection of the NIN,” the statement read.
The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and, according to authorities, will face legal consequences for their actions. The Commission reminded Nigerians that these activities violate several laws, including the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and the Cybercrime Act.
NIMC strongly warned against sharing NINs with unauthorized individuals or organizations. It noted that such behavior not only poses a risk to personal data security but also breaches national laws.
“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,” the statement added.
The Commission further noted that it had previously issued public warnings advising citizens to keep their personal data private and to refrain from inputting their information on unverified websites or platforms.
NIMC confirmed it has intensified efforts to identify and stop others who may be involved in similar schemes, assuring Nigerians that it remains committed to protecting citizens’ data.
