National identity card: FG suspends NIMC officials over extortion

By Ogaga Ariemu

The Federal Government has suspended workers mentioned in extortion at enrolment centres of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Nigerian NewsDirect learnt that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, ordered the immediate suspension of the staff members involved in extortion of applicants at the NIMC Bauchi and Kaduna state offices.

The NIMC on Sunday said the directive came on the heels of public outcry that some personnel of commission, particularly at enrolment centres in Bauchi and Kaduna were capitalising on the rush for National Identification Number by the public to perpetrate fraudulent activities.

NIMC’s Head Corporate Communication, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the act was inimical to the policy directive of the Federal Government, which required mobile network subscribers to update their Subscriber Identification Module registration with a valid NIN.

Pantami restated his zero-tolerance stance on extortion, bribery and corruption.

He noted that such unethical practices if allowed to fester and not nipped in the bud by taking stiffer actions against the culprits had the potency of derailing the SIM-NIN integration project.

The minister said enrolment for NIN is free of charge, adding that on no occasion should anyone pay to obtain an enrolment form or to have their biometrics captured.

“All personnel involved in the enrolment and NIN issuance exercise must carry out their respective duties professionally, fairly and with integrity,” the statement stated.

It added, “In light of the above, we wish to call on the general public to assist us in putting our commitments into action by sending proof of any nefarious activity within and around our enrolment centres.”

It urged the public to report alleged cases of extortion by snapshots, footage and other proofs to help the government address the matter.