The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has intensified its nationwide enforcement operations against illegal National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment, unauthorized data modification, and extortion, leading to several arrests in the Federal Capital Territory.
​The crackdown, executed by NIMC’s Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU), targeted unauthorized operators operating within the Gwagwalada Area Council and other strategic locations across Abuja. Officers confiscated hardware and digital equipment allegedly used to run unapproved enrolment schemes, modify personal data unlawfully, and extort unsuspecting citizens seeking registration services.
​In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, 2026, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, highlighted that bypassing official registration procedures remains the root cause of widespread data errors and identity conflicts reported by NIN holders.
​”NIMC notes that many of the problems people face with their National Identification Number (NIN) stem from bypassing official enrolment procedures,” Dr. Adegoke stated, emphasizing that physical enrolments must take place exclusively at approved centers, while legitimate data modifications can be completed directly through the official self-service portal.
​Reaffirming the commission’s stance, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote underscored a zero-tolerance policy regarding extortion, racketeering, and corrupt practices within identity management channels, assuring the public of ongoing efforts to maintain a secure and transparent identity system.
​To protect personal information, NIMC advises citizens to complete new registrations only at verified centers and conduct updates online via selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.
Citizens can also safeguard their digital identity and print official slips through the NINAuth mobile application, available on the Android Play Store and iOS App Store. Extortion or suspicious activities can be reported directly to NIMC via their toll-free line, or through their official website.
