NIMC denies data breach allegations, warns against phishing sites
By Innocent Raphael
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has firmly denied recent allegations of data breaches involving sensitive information of Nigerian citizens.
In a statement released on Saturday, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, assured the public that the Commission’s data remains secure and uncompromised.
The statement emphasized that NIMC has not authorized any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification Number (NIN) or any other personal data.
The commission specifically identified several unauthorized websites, including idfinder.com.ng, Verify.ng/signin, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify.com, as data harvesters. He urged Nigerians to avoid these sites, warning that they are fraudulent and collect personal information for illegal purposes.
NIMC reassured the public of its robust cybersecurity measures, highlighting that its database infrastructure adheres to the ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard and complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Law.
According to the statement, the Commission undergoes annual recertification to ensure the highest standards of information security are maintained.
The Commission also advised Nigerians to avoid providing their data to unauthorized and phishing websites, as this could lead to identity theft and data misuse.
NIMC stressed that no licensed partners or vendors are permitted to scan or store NIN slips, but can only verify NINs through approved channels.
Stating that NIMC is collaborating with security agencies to apprehend those posing as legitimate online vendors and promises they will face legal consequences, the Commission called on the public to stay vigilant against misinformation and to rely on verified sources for accurate updates.
NIMC concluded by emphasizing their dedication to ensuring the security and reliability of the nation’s identity management systems, which are considered critical national assets.
