By Moses Okorie
Following a statement made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that some Nigerians especially the young people are in the habit of giving out their personal data to a fintech company for paltry some of N1,500 to N2,000, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned that it would not take responsibility for any data leakage, and warned culprit to desist from such acts.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Head, Corporate Communications of NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, the commission warned that it would not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement.
According to him, “The National Identity Management Commission has noted with serious concern the recent statement on Nigerians selling their personal information, including that of the National Identification Number (NIN) attributed to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)
“The statement by EFCC that this fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians offering a paltry payment of between N1500 and N2000 to their victims to make them surrender a copy of their personal information details to them and sell the same information to some Fintech Institutions for about N5000′ is not only of serious security concern but of grave consequences on the NIN holders.
Adegoke said Nigerians have been informed repeatedly in the past by the NIMC not to disclose their NIN to any unauthorised individual or organisation”.
NIMC further urged Nigerians especially service providers to note that any NIN presented to access services must be duly verified before granting such services.
“Furthermore, the general public is by this notice enjoined to download the NINAuth App on either Apple iOS or the Google Play Store to enjoy seamless benefits, including but not limited to protection and security of the NIN, the power to control personal information on the NIN, and so many more!”
