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Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has voiced disappointment over the failure of security agencies to effectively utilize the National Identity Number (NIN) linked to Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data in combating crimes such as kidnappings and phone-related offenses.
Pantami’s criticism stems from the 2020 directive by then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, mandating the linking of SIM cards to the NIN of every citizen to enhance security measures.
In a tweet on Sunday, Bashir Ahmad, the Media Aide to President Buhari, raised an alarm about the increasing incidents of kidnappings for ransom and called for new legislation or the revision of existing laws to enforce the death penalty as punishment for banditry and kidnapping.
In response to the tweet, Pantami attributed the rising cases of kidnapping for ransom and banditry to the failure of security agencies to effectively utilize the NIN-SIM data.
“The NIN-SIM policy has been working,” stated Pantami. “However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilize it effectively when a crime is committed. Lack of utilization is the main problem, not the policy.”
Expressing his concern over the non-utilization of the policy, Pantami revealed that criminals had threatened his life for reintroducing it. He emphasized his commitment to the implementation of the NIN registration policy under President Buhari’s administration, asserting that linking citizens’ NIN to their SIMs is a crucial tool in combating banditry, kidnapping, and phone-related crimes.
Pantami concluded by stating, “If it is not being utilized by the relevant institutions in charge of securing lives and property, then I am more frustrated than any person, as I sacrificed my life and ignored all the threats to my life. This is just a point out of 100 on the policy.”
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