Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As several millions of Nigerians intensify efforts at registering for the National Identity Numbers (NINs) and obtain NIN amid the ongoing strike called by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Branch, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned Nigerians against buying and selling their NINs.

The anti-corruption agency Wednesday, January 6 warned that those engaging in such acts would be arrested and prosecuted for fraud.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Spokesman, in a statement called on Nigerians to report anyone seeking to buy or sell their NIN to the Commission, or security operatives.

The statement said in part: “The EFCC wishes to alert Nigerians that it is not only illegal to sell their NINs, they stand the risk of vicarious liability for any act of criminality linked to their NINs.”

ConsumerConnect had that Mr. Lucky Michael, President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, and Odia Victor, Secretary of the Association, NIMC Branch, earlier in the week had jointly signed a notice of strike to members.

The communiqué stated: “Consequent upon the just concluded congress of the above mentioned association that took place on January 6, 2020, the unit executive directs all members of grade level 12 and below in the head office and state offices to report to their respective duty posts tomorrow January 7, 2020, and do nothing.

“All members at the local government offices and special centres are advised to stay away from their various centres as task force and implementation committees would be on parade to ensure total compliance with the directive.”

The EFCC Spokesman further stated: “In other words, they risk arrest and prosecution for any act of criminality linked to their NIN whether or not they are directly responsible for such crimes.”

The National Identity Management Commission also had cautioned those extorting NIN applicants to desist from doing so in the country.

NIMC had warned that those culpable risks a seven-year jail term.