Nigerian authorities have arrested several individuals and seized equipment in a major crackdown on illegal National Identification Number (NIN) registration centres and extortion networks.
The raids, led by the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) compliance and enforcement unit, targeted unauthorized operators in Gwagwalada, near the capital Abuja, and several other locations across the country.The operation comes amid growing concerns over data privacy, fraud, and the extortion of citizens seeking official identity documentation.
The NIN is a crucial legal identifier in Nigeria, required for opening bank accounts, obtaining passports, buying SIM cards, and accessing key public services.
In a statement, NIMC Director-General Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote reiterated the agency’s “zero tolerance” policy for extortion and unethical practices, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to protecting the security and credibility of the nation’s identity database. Officials noted that many technical issues and delays experienced by citizens stem from bypassing official channels and using unapproved third-party agents.
NIMC urged the public to use only accredited centres for initial registration and pointed citizens to its official self-service portal for data modifications. The commission also advised identity holders to utilize its official digital portal and mobile application, NINAuth, to manage their records securely.
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