“We Have Zero Tolerance For Extortion And Unethical Conduct” — NIMC Arrests Suspected Illegal NIN Operators In Abuja

*Seizes Registration Equipment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested several suspected illegal National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment operators and seized unauthorised registration equipment during an enforcement operation in Gwagwalada, Abuja, and other locations.

The Commission said the operation was part of its intensified crackdown on illegal NIN registration, unauthorised modification of personal information, extortion and other practices capable of compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s National Identity Management System.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, November 2, 2026, by NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Kayode Adegoke.

According to the Commission, the arrests were carried out by its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU), which has intensified enforcement activities against individuals and organisations providing identity registration services without the necessary authorisation.

NIMC explained that the operation resulted in several arrests and the seizure of equipment allegedly used for unlawful enrolment and modification of personal data.

The Commission maintained that the exercise formed part of its commitment to eliminating unauthorised enrolment activities and unethical practices that threaten the security, integrity and credibility of the national identity database.

It expressed concern that individuals operating outside approved registration procedures could expose applicants to identity-related risks, including inaccurate records, unauthorised changes to personal information and possible misuse of sensitive data.

NIMC noted that many of the challenges encountered by Nigerians with their National Identification Numbers arose from attempts to bypass official enrolment procedures or obtain registration and modification services through unauthorised individuals.

The Commission consequently warned Nigerians and legal residents against patronising unapproved enrolment centres, stressing that initial NIN registration must be conducted exclusively at facilities authorised by NIMC.

It explained that requests for the modification of personal information should be processed through its official self-service modification platform rather than through unauthorised agents.

The agency advised individuals seeking to correct or update their identity records to follow the prescribed procedures to avoid complications that could affect the accuracy and security of their personal information.

NIMC also urged existing NIN holders to download the NINAuth application, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, as part of measures to improve the security of their identity information.

According to the Commission, the application provides additional security features that enable users to protect their NIN information, access digital identity services and print their NIN slips.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, reiterated the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy towards extortion, unauthorised enrolment and other unethical practices involving identity registration operators.

She maintained that the agency was committed to providing seamless and hitch-free enrolment services for Nigerian citizens and legal residents while protecting the integrity of the national identity system.

Coker-Odusote assured members of the public that the Commission would continue strengthening its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with approved registration procedures.

The Commission urged applicants and existing NIN holders to obtain accurate information about its services through its official website, verified communication channels and authorised registration centres.

It also encouraged members of the public to avoid dealing with individuals who claim to offer unofficial enrolment or data modification services.

For enquiries and official information, NIMC provided its toll-free contact number, 0800 0616 462.

The latest enforcement operation comes as Nigeria continues efforts to expand NIN registration and strengthen the reliability of its national identity database.

In July 2026, the Commission disclosed that the number of persons enrolled in the National Identification Number system had reached 136 million.

The figure represented progress in the Federal Government’s efforts to establish a comprehensive digital identity system for Nigerian citizens and legal residents.

NIMC has maintained that the expansion of the identity database is necessary to improve access to government services, strengthen identity verification and support the development of a reliable national identification infrastructure.

As part of measures to increase registration coverage, the Commission commenced a nationwide ward-level NIN enrolment exercise on February 16, 2026.

The exercise followed a presidential directive requiring the agency to extend registration services to communities across the federation, particularly areas where residents previously experienced difficulties accessing enrolment centres.

According to NIMC, the initiative was designed to ensure that Nigerian citizens and legal residents, including children and adults, could register in the National Identity Database.

The Commission explained that the ward-level exercise was being conducted free of charge as part of the Federal Government’s programme to deepen identity inclusion and expand access to essential public services.

It maintained that taking registration services closer to communities would help reduce barriers faced by individuals living in rural and underserved locations.

The exercise also forms part of the government’s wider effort to strengthen digital identification as a foundation for service delivery, financial inclusion and public administration.

Beyond the nationwide enrolment programme, NIMC is working towards achieving registration targets under the World Bank-supported Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, which was launched in 2020.

The project was established to improve the accessibility, inclusiveness and reliability of Nigeria’s digital identity system.

However, Nigeria failed to meet an earlier target of enrolling at least 148 million persons by June 30, 2024, prompting the World Bank to restructure and extend the implementation period.

The restructuring was intended to provide additional time for the completion of key activities and the disbursement of funds committed to the project.

The $430 million ID4D project is financed by the World Bank’s International Development Association, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Under the financing arrangement, the International Development Association is providing $115 million, the French Development Agency $100 million, and the European Investment Bank $215 million.

Following the restructuring, the project’s closing date was extended to December 31, 2026, while its enrolment target was revised from 148 million to 180 million.

The extension was also intended to support improvements in the country’s identity management infrastructure, including the expansion of biometric identification capacity and the development of more secure, interoperable and scalable digital identity systems.

The project seeks to ensure that more Nigerians and legal residents obtain reliable identification credentials that facilitate access to public and private services.

Against this background, the Commission’s latest enforcement operation highlights concerns surrounding the activities of unauthorised registration operators at a time when the government is seeking to expand enrolment and strengthen the credibility of the identity database.

NIMC maintained that ensuring compliance with official enrolment procedures was essential to protecting personal information and preventing the activities of illegal operators from undermining the national identification system.

Although the Commission confirmed that several suspects were arrested and equipment seized during the Gwagwalada operation, it did not disclose the exact number of suspects, their identities or the specific equipment recovered.

It also did not announce whether formal criminal charges had been filed against those arrested.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting the National Identity Management System and urged Nigerians to use only approved channels for NIN enrolment, data modification and related identity management services.

Post Title: “We Have Zero Tolerance For Extortion And Unethical Conduct” — NIMC Arrests Suspected Illegal NIN Operators In Abuja By Papers Nigeria.