The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has firmly refuted allegations of a data breach involving sensitive information of Nigerian citizens.
In a press statement signed by Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke,the Commission assured the public that their data remains secure and has not been compromised.
NIMC emphasized that it has not authorized any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification Number, NIN or any other identities.
The Commission specifically identified several unauthorized websites, including idfinder.com.ng, verify.ng, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify.com, as fraudulent data harvesters. The public is urged to avoid these sites and disregard any services or claims they offer.
“NIMC urges the public to avoid giving their data to these unauthorised and potentially fraudulent sites, which harvest and store data illegally,” the statement read. The Commission reassured Nigerians that it has implemented robust measures to protect the nation’s database from cyber threats. The NIMC’s infrastructure complies with the stringent ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard and the Nigerian Data Protection Law, with annual recertifications ensuring ongoing security.
The NIMC also reminded Nigerians to only verify their NINs through approved channels and to be cautious of phishing attempts. “Licensed partners or vendors are not authorised to scan or store NIN slips but to verify NINs through approved channels,” the Commission reiterated.
In collaboration with security operatives, NIMC is actively working to apprehend those behind these fraudulent websites and ensure they face legal consequences. The Commission urged the public to stay vigilant against false information and to rely on verified sources for accurate updates.
“The Commission remains committed to providing secure and reliable identity management and upholding the highest level of security for systems and databases, which are critical national assets,” the statement concluded.