The National Identity Management Commission has warned Nigerians that they will be held responsible for crimes committed with sim card registered to their National Identification Numbers.
NIMC disclosed this on Tuesday as it warns citizens of the dangers in selling or sharing their NIN with others who could eventually use it to “perpetrate fraud”.
Speaking on its official Twitter handle, it said, “stop selling and sharing your NIN, it could be used to perpetrate fraud against you. The deadline for the NIN-SIM link has also been extended.”
“Your NIN is your digital identity and you will be held liable for offences committed by individuals with sim cards linked to your NIN,” NIMC said.
The commission advised that persons engaged in such fraudulent acts should be reported to the National Identity Management Commission.
However, in other to ensure ease of registration, as well as limit the spread of COVID-19 at registration centres the Federal Government has extended registration for the National Identity Number (NIN) by up to six weeks, from Dec. 30 to Feb. 9, 2021.
In addition, it also announced the cancellation the use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) charges for verification across the country.
“Three weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from Dec. 30, 2020 to Jan. 19, 2021. Six weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from Dec. 30, 2020 to Feb. 9, 2021, while USSD and verification charges remain suspended during these extensions.
“NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens attend the registration in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols, particularly the use of facemasks, which remains mandatory, and maintenance of social distancing,” NIMC said.
