(By Dennis Kakaba and Baba Zare.)
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has blamed the Nigeria Police and other security agencies for failing to utilise data generated from the National Identity Number (NIN) linked to the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in tracking kidnappers and curbing other crimes involving the use of a phone.
In 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime ordered SIMs to be linked to the NIN of every citizen.
Nigerians who failed to link their SIM to NIN had their lines disconnected.
Bashir Ahmad, media aide to Buhari, in a tweet on Sunday, raised the alarm on sustained kidnappings for ransom, calling for “new legislation or the revision of current laws to mandate the death penalty as punishment for banditry and kidnapping.”
Responding to Mr Ahmad’s tweet, @RolandMentus, however, said, “How about first reaching out to your kinsman @ProfIsaPantami to know why Nigerians queued up for months to secure NIN.”
Reacting to Mentus’s tweet, Pantami blamed security agencies for not utilising the NIN-SIM data to tackle rising kidnapping for ransom and banditry.
“NIN-SIM policy has been working,” said Prof. Pantami. “However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed. Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy.” he said.
The former minister, who decried the non-utilisation of the policy, claimed criminals threatened his life for reintroducing it.
He said, “on the lack of utilisation, I am more worried than anyone, as my life was threatened by criminals for reintroducing it, including on BBC Hausa & and national dailies; I resisted and ensured its implementation.
“If it is not being utilised 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 life. This is just a point out of 100 on the policy,” the former minister added.
Pantami, under the former Buhari regime, championed the NIN registration policy that saw citizens link their NIN to their SIMs, vowing it would be instrumental to curbing banditry, kidnapping and other forms of crimes involving the use of the telephone.
However, kidnappers still demand and coordinate ransom-taking with the use of phones without being apprehended despite SIM-NIN data.
When contacted , Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigerian Police spokesperson, declined comments on Mr Pantami’s remarks.
Asked if the police had been using the NIN-SIM data in tracking kidnappers and bandits, Mr Adejobi said, “When you want me to speak on, let me make my statement on that, not linking me to his comment.
“If there are issues we need to address, the police will address it holistically, not reacting to somebody’s comment.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Onyeama Nnwanchukwu, did not respond to request for comments.
__________________________________________
We do hope that the information we were able to provide you is helpful. Check out other unique articles on our blog for more detailed information, and do well to share with your friends and family. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated with premium details.
Please leave any comments or questions in the area given below.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in The New Herald are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The New Herald. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
Information is presented to the best of our knowledge, and while we endeavor to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability concerning the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Therefore, any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.
Extra: Be sure to consistently check https://newherald.ng/ for an abundance of valuable resources, including tips, news, and updates, to stay informed and enhance your expertise in the field
