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No going back on NIN-SIM integration as criminals ‘feel the heat’ ─Minister

Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy

*The Minister for Communications and Digital Economy has urged Nigerians to verify their Subscriber Identification Modules, using National Identification Numbers soon before the government’s next action as criminals are feeling the heat of the exercise

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the verification exercise continues in Nigeria, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, has disclosed that criminals across the country are “feeling the heat” of the ongoing linking of consumers’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) with Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).

Dr. Pantami stated this Monday, April 12 while reacting to the retraction of a story published on an online news site.

The story had purportedly linked the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy to Boko Haram activities in Northern Nigeria.

However, the Minister said: “On the issue of NIN-SIM Verification to fight insecurity, there is no going back.

“Our priority as GOVERNMENT, based on the provision of our constitution 1999 (as amended) Section 14(2)b is SECURITY, not just economy.

“For sure, no going back at all. Let the sponsors continue.

He further said: “If you are yet to verify your SIM using NIN, do it very soon, before our next action. Criminals are feeling the heat.”

It was gathered that hours before the Minister’s reaction, a story had circulated that Pantami was on a US watchlist as a result of links to terrorism activities, reports Channels TV.

Pantami stated: “My lectures against the doctrines and all other evil people have been available for over 15 years, including debates that endangered my life against many criminals in Nigeria.

Report indicates he was apparently referring to a video in which he appeared alongside Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

“If you can’t understand Hausa, get an objective Hausa speaker to translate for you objectively,” he noted

Meanwhile, the Minister was reported to have vowed to sue the publishers of the story.

He stated: “Major publishers will meet my lawyers in the court on this defamation of character.”

Likewise, Bashir Ahmad, a Presidential spokesman, also condemned the report which he described as “fake” and “a false and dangerous narrative.”

Bashir said: “Dr. Pantami has never been on any US watchlist.”

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