NAN – The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on Sunday warned applicants for the National Identity Number (NIN) to beware of fraudsters parading themselves as the commission’s staff members.
The warning, contained in a statement signed by the commission’s General Manager of Corporate Communications, Mr Abdul-Hamid Umar, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The statement said enrolment was absolutely free and that applicants should beware of fraudsters posing as NIMC staff and charging fees for it.
NIMC stated categorically that no citizen or legal resident was expected to pay for enrolment into the National Identity Database.
“It has come to the attention of NIMC that some miscreants posing as NIMC agents use banners bearing the NIMC or presidential logos at their business centres.
“These miscreants are reported to charge eligible applicants fees for pre-enrolment, making applicants believe they are paying for the NIN or the National e-ID Card.
“NIMC is not oblivious of the fact that persons who visit business centres and cyber cafes for online pre-enrolment must pay for the use of internet which is cost of services rendered by the business owners.
“NIMC categorically condemns the report that the payment is either for the NIN or the National e-ID Card or that the money goes to NIMC.’’
The commission said it had no business charging anybody for enrolment and urged anyone asked to pay by any NIMC official to report the erring official to the nearest NIMC security post.
It also explained that it was safer and faster for eligible applicants, who had access to the internet, to pre-enrol themselves via the NIMC Pre-enrolment portal – http://ninenrol.gov.ng using their personal computers.
“Eligible Nigerians can use their Internet enabled phones or tablets at their convenience to pre-enrol in order to facilitate the processes when they approach any NIMC centre.
“Nigerians who did not have such access to internet can visit the NIMC enrolment centre where they will be attended to.’’
It said that no business centre or individual had the right to issue applicants with NIN and National e-ID Card.
“Applicants can call the NIMC call centre on 0700CALLNIMC or 07002255646 for enquiry about the enrolment processes and procedures.’’
The commission has 21 enrolment centres in Lagos including the Lagos State Head Office in Ikeja.
Others Lagos State University; Ikeja Cantonment; Eti-Osa, Ojo, Somolu, Oshodi, Amuwo-Odofin, Ayobo-Ipaja, Agege Local Government Secretariat; FIRS Ikoyi, Lekki Phase I, Bonny Camp, Nigeria Air-force Base, Ikeja centre.
There are also centres in Lagos State Polytechnics, Yaba College of Technology, University of Lagos, Ojo Cantonment; among others.
