The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned against sale of the National Identification Number NIN.
The warning comes as workers of the National Identification Management Commission NIMC commenced nationwide strike forcing registration of persons for the National Identification Number NIN to an abrupt suspension.
Notices of the strike which were pasted on the walls of the designated centres across states of the country, were signed by the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), NIMC branch Lucky Michael, and its Secretary, Odia Victor; signalled the commencement of the strike on Thursday 7th January.
The reason for the sudden action could not be immediately ascertained but sources said the Union was not impressed with the state of NIMC enrollment centres across the country, especially in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, exposure of staff to Covid-19 risks, lack of personal protective equipment, irregularities in promotion, and poor funding; adding that staff members have been infected with the virus and measures have not been put in place to curtail the spread.
Staff members were infected with COVID-19 and adequate measures have not been taken to curtail the spread,” said the memo.
It was gathered that the union was also demanding payment of overtime as well as to be given enough tools to work with.
But warning those who night want to cash in on the situation to sell their NIN for a fee the Commission warned that such person’s were criminally liable.

According to a statement signed by EFCC Head Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, it has come to the knowledge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that some unscrupulous persons are cashing in on the excercise to induce enrollees to sell their NIN for a fee.
It says the buyers of the numbers are also trading with them to persons whose motives are anything but noble.
The EFCC alert Nigerians that it is not illegal to sell their NIN, they stand the risk of vicarious liability for any act of criminality linked to their NIN. In other words, they risk arrest and prosecution for any act of criminality linked to their NIN whether or not they are directly responsible for such crimes.
The Commission warns the public against selling their NIN and to report anyone seeking to buy their NIN, to the nearest office of the EFCC or other law enforcement agencies.