NIMC said they received a report that the suspects asked residents to submit their NINs in exchange for money.
byChinagorom Ugwu April 9, 2025 Reading Time: 1 mins read
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested some unidentified persons allegedly buying National Identification Numbers (NINs) from Nigerians in Anambra State, the country’s South-east region.
Kayode Adegoke, NIMC spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday, that the commission received a report that the suspects asked residents to submit their NINs in exchange for money.
Mr Adegoke said the offence contravenes the NIMC Act No 23, 2007, Data Protection Act, and the Cyber Crime Act.
The NIMC spokesperson said the commission arrested the individuals upon receiving notice of the illegal collection of the NIN.
He said the arrest was carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and State Security Service operatives.
“They are currently being interrogated and would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said of the arrested suspects.
He stressed that the Nigerian government and NIMC have not authorised such a collection, maintaining that anyone caught would be “sanctioned appropriately.”
“At no time should NIN holders give out their NINs for monetary compensation. This is against the laws of the federation,” he said.
