The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has highlighted the role of circumventing previous directives on National Identification Number (NIN) usage in the surge of killings and kidnappings in the country.
She expressed these concerns at an annual Consultation Workshop with Stakeholders organized by ID4D in partnership with other collaborators in Abuja.
During the workshop, Odusote, represented by her Technical Assistant Ayobami Zainab Abiola, acknowledged that criminal elements had manipulated directives requiring the use of NIN to register SIM cards.
She emphasized that these manipulations contributed to recent incidents of violence and kidnappings.
‘NIMC is assisting government to cub rampant killings and kidnappings. NIMC is working with security agencies to ensure we use the NIN in a way that we secure the country. There has been previous engagements and directives requiring people to use the NIN to register their Sim cards, however, people have in some cases tried to circumvent that and this is to the detriment of using these information for security purposes,’’ she stated
The DG affirmed that NIMC is collaborating closely with security agencies, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to address vulnerabilities exploited by criminals.
She assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to improve security measures and plug existing loopholes.
Regarding the registration of foreigners, Odusote pointed out that the porosity of borders and insufficient checks contribute to the exploitation of identity processes.
She emphasized ongoing efforts to address these challenges, with comprehensive solutions expected to be discussed at an upcoming retreat in Nasarawa.
In her keynote address, Odusote assured Nigerians that the government is committed to providing a verifiable ID for every citizen, regardless of age, location, residency, or physical status. She highlighted the importance of a robust identity system in building a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous Nigeria.