Pantami reveals how NIN can help reduce rise in kidnapping, Killings

Dr Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has accused security services of failing to use the National Identity Number (NIN) connected to Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data to combat crime, which he alleged has resulted in a recent spike in kidnappings and murders in the nation.

Pantami reacting to Bashir Ahmad, President Buhari’s communications adviser on his tweet about the alarming rise in kidnappings for ransom and his call for new laws or the reform of current ones to impose the death sentence as a punishment for banditry and abduction, Pantami blasted security services for failing to use NIN-SIM data to combat the rise in banditry and kidnappings for ransom.

The NIN-SIM strategy has been effective. But, Pantami stated, “it is to be requested that the relevant institutions combating criminality make sure they use it effectively when a crime is committe”.

‘It is the underutilization that is the primary issue, not the policy. As for the lack of use, I am more concerned than anybody because I opposed and saw to its implementation despite threats to my life from criminals when I brought it back, notably on national dailies and BBC Hausa.

“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 my life. The former minister said, “This is only one point out of 100 on the policy.

The former Minister assured Nigerians of the effective power of NIN, adding that tying a person’s NIN to their SIM card will be an essential weapon in the fight against kidnapping, banditry, and crimes using phones.