After more than 5 years of issuing unique identities to Nigerians through the National Identity Number (NIN) registration, over 150 million Nigerians are still without any form of identification.
This is because a lot of people have been complaining about the difficulties they encounter in getting enrolled for their NIMC card.
About a week ago, some officials masquerading as NIMC (National Identity Management Center) besieged Ilasmaja Area asking people to register for their NIN Identification Cards parading their services as a faster and more reliable method.
Some people who showed interest in the scheme realised to their greatest surprise and chagrin that the cards were not actually free as they were made to believe by the Nigerian Government. The officials charged them five thousand naira for the commencement of registrations and procurement of the personal National Identity Card.
A visit to the LCDA Secretariat at Aswani showed that they out of operations because the NIMC enrollment exercise has been suspended till further notice.
These officials keep visiting Hassan street, Ilasmaja, Lagos enrolling people for the NIMC cards. They charge between five thousand to three thousand per person before they are given the NIN enrollment form.
This is the new form of NIMC fraud currently ongoing in Lagos state.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK