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NIMC partners NCC to enhance NIN-SIM linkage

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NIMC partners NCC to enhance NIN-SIM linkage

The National Identity Management Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission have announced a strategic collaboration to enhance the National Identification Number-SIM linkage processes.

This was disclosed on Sunday in a joint statement signed by the Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the DG/CEO of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, and the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka.

The NIN-SIM linkage exercise has recently become the subject of national discourse, reflecting the critical importance of aligning SIM registrations with individuals’ unique NINs.

Recognising the significance of this initiative in enhancing security and improving service delivery, both commissions said they were committed to improving processes and enhancing efficiency.

Furthermore, the agencies in the partnership prioritise the interests of Nigerians and promote national development.

“By pooling our resources and expertise, we aim to overcome the challenges associated with the NIN-SIM linkage exercise and ensure its continued successful implementation,” the agencies stated.

Under this collaboration, NIMC and NCC focus on the following key areas: streamlining the NIN-SIM linkage process; capacity building and public awareness; data verification and validation; policy harmonisation, and the regulatory framework.

The statement read in part, “NIMC and NCC will collaborate to ensure a seamless experience for Nigerian telecommunication subscribers. This includes exploring innovative approaches to facilitate the swift verification and authentication of NINs during SIM registration and activation processes.

“Both agencies will collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness and understanding of the NIN-SIM linkage requirements. This includes educational campaigns, training sessions for stakeholders, and the dissemination of accurate information to the public to encourage compliance with the linkage directives.

“NIMC will continue to extend its support to NCC by providing assistance in verifying National Identification Numbers (NINs) associated with SIM registrations. Leveraging NIMC’s robust database and authentication infrastructure, telecommunication operators will validate submitted NINs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of subscriber data.

“NIMC and NCC will collaborate on aligning policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the seamless integration of NIN-SIM linkage processes within the telecommunications ecosystem. This includes harmonising data protection and privacy regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information.”

The NCC had barred an estimated 40 million telephone lines not linked to NIN following the expiration of the February 28, 2024, deadline.

In a December 2023 notice, the regulator had asked telcos to bar SIMs that had not been linked to their owners’ NINs by February 28, 2024.

MTN Nigeria reported that over 4.2m lines were disconnected from its network after the February 28 deadline given by the NCC.

The NCC had received several backlashes for barring telephone lines not linked to NIN from different societal groups.

Last week, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project threatened to drag the NCC to court if it failed to reverse its directive to telcos to bar telephone lines.

The group, which made the threat in an open letter to the Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, called for more consultation and the provision of an effective process for Nigerians who are yet to link their SIM cards to their NINs to do so.

Senate mourns, demands justice for slain soldiers

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Senate mourns, demands justice for slain soldiers

The Senate has condoled the military over the killing of the commanding officer of the 181 Battalion, two Army Majors, and 13 soldiers.

Some youths ambushed and killed 16 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army on a peace mission to the Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta on Thursday.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, in a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, condoled with the service chiefs over the loss of their men.

He said, “On behalf of the 10th Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army and officers and men of Operation Delta Safe on the tragic loss of our gallant personnel who were mercilessly killed by some youths during a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday 14th March 2024.

“The sacrifices made by the Commanding Officer, three officers, and 12 soldiers during this distressing incident shall forever be remembered. Their bravery and commitment exemplify the highest virtue of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice, and their legacy will forever inspire us all.”

Yar’Adua also pledged the unwavering support of the Senate to the investigations of the incident that led to the gruesome killing of the soldiers.

He added, “I wish to commend the swift response of the Chief of Defence Staff in directing an immediate investigation to apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime. It is crucial that justice is served and those behind this criminal act are brought to account for their actions.

“The Nigerian Army’s unwavering focus on upholding peace and security in our nation is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our Armed Forces.

“The Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army stands resolutely alongside the Defence Headquarters and the Nigerian Army in seeking justice for the fallen heroes. We shall spare no effort in supporting the necessary investigations and legal processes to ensure that those responsible for this crime face the full consequences of their actions.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the families of the fallen heroes, and the entire Armed Forces as we honour the sacrifice and service of our brave personnel.”

I’m not getting salaries, Anambra gov says at Second Anniversary

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I’m not getting salaries, Anambra gov says at Second Anniversary

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has reiterated that he does not receive a salary from the state government, citing it as a cost-saving measure.

He said this during an interdenominational service held at the International Convention Centre in Awka to mark his second year in office.

He said, “Today we have come to report some aspects of what we have been able to do within these two years. Anambra people are our employers, you elected me and my deputy, and we took office exactly two years ago as your chief servants.

“Any governor that comes floods you with offers for borrowing and so on and so forth, but we decided for the first two years to demonstrate something, capacity to do more with less.

“And so far as has been said, for two years, despite receiving about 25 per cent in real terms or in dollar terms of what was in the past, we have chosen deliberately not to borrow.

“I have been asked severally, how do you do without borrowing and with the difficult circumstances? And my answer is that we are doing so because we are executing the most austere measure of government ever.

“As I speak to you, I am not taking any salary, I am not paid any salary by Anambra State government. Even the First Lady of Anambra doesn’t have any official car, she still drives my vehicles,” Soludo said.

“Today, I tell you that Anambra is strong and getting stronger. We are intentional about doing more with less because we are facing extraordinary times in Nigeria, but tough times are for tough leaders who are innovative. Banks have been offering to lend to us, but we decided that these two years, we will show that we can do more with less and we choose deliberately not to borrow.

“Having been governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and managing the entire country’s finances, I needed to demonstrate that some things are possible. Today, we are managing the finances of Anambra, and we need to show what we can do. From henceforth, we are changing gears.

“Anambra has not seen anything yet. Every kobo of Anambra’s resources entrusted in our hands, we will show you where we put it. “When we borrow, and of course you can borrow when you have good reason to, and when we do, we will show you what the money was used for, and we will borrow to invest in things that can pay back the investment. But you will never see the kind of borrowing we saw before.”

The governor highlighted his administration’s accomplishments, noting, “We have built 240 kilometres of roads in 24 months. What this means is that for every month we have been here, we have constructed 10 kilometres. Even if you put the entire state resources in one local government, you will still not finish every road, but we are picking strategic roads.

“We are working on the Anambra State Government House and Governor’s Lodge. Anambra is the only state created over 30 years ago that does not still have a permanent Government House. Soon, the new Anambra Government House will be commissioned.

“We will commission roads in Okpoko tomorrow. Okpoko is one of the biggest slums in the entire West Africa, and for the first time, a general hospital has been built there, and we will commission it tomorrow. Anambra-wide water scheme is now being test run. Ours is an agenda with a deadline, and we are not relenting.”

Regarding power generation, the governor affirmed, “We are working to crack the power puzzle in Anambra too. We have learnt something from Barth Nnaji.

It took him 20 years to deliver the Aba Power project. We have learnt from how he did it, and ours will not take that long. We have assembled experts for that reason. What we can tell you is that we will do it, but I will not stand here and tell you the length of time.”

Killing of soldiers in Delta senseless, embarrassing

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Killing of soldiers in Delta senseless, embarrassing

A member of the House of Representatives representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, Nicholas Mutu has condemned Thursday’s killing of 16 soldiers by some irate youths of Okuama community, an Urhobo enclave in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

Mutu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Gas, described the Okuama killings as “barbaric and inhuman.”

He made his position on the incident known in a statement issued by his media office and made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.

The lawmaker said, “The killings of the 16 soldiers, including a Lt. Col, two Majors and one Captain of the Nigerian Army, on a peacekeeping assignment in the Urhobo community, was senseless and embarrassing.”

He challenged all relevant security agencies to “work round the clock to fish out the killers and bring them to justice,” warning that the criminals should not escape justice to serve as a deterrent to those who may be planning to indulge in such heinous crimes in the future.

Mutu condoled the families of the fallen soldiers, the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces on the tragic development, praying to God to grant the repose of the souls of “the gallant soldiers, who were gruesomely murdered while performing patriotic national assignments.”

Reacting to the reports of the incident in a section of the press which linked the fate of the soldiers to Ijaw militias in Okoloba, an Ijaw community in the Bomadi LG, he said, “This is far from the truth of the incident. The Ijaw is not in any way linked or connected to this unjustifiable, barbaric, inhuman, and condemnable act.

“The facts of the matter are with all appropriate security agencies, and they are in fact in the public domain. The indigenes of Okuama are responsible for these senseless killings. Two contingents of troops of the Nigerian Army who were deployed separately on a peace-keeping mission in Okuama, particularly to investigate the killing of an Okoloba boy, were ambushed and wilfully murdered in cold blood in Okuama

“Their headless and dismembered remains were recovered in the waters of the Okuama community, which is the scene of the crime.

“It’s therefore callous and indiscretionary to link the Ijaw to this heinous crime, which is a national embarrassment. It’s wrong for a section of the press to link the innocent Ijaw people to this crime, and I seize this medium to debunk such irresponsible reports on the incident.”

Mutu continued, “I condemn the reports linking the Ijaw with this crime and call on the authors of such falsehood to retract them and apologise to the Ijaw nation, forthwith.”

Killing of soldiers barbaric, unacceptable

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Killing of soldiers barbaric, unacceptable

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Sunday, condemned the recent killing of some soldiers in Delta State.

His reaction comes after a late Saturday report that operatives of the Joint Task Force recovered 15 bodies of soldiers under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, at the Okuama community, Delta State.

This was due to a communal land dispute between two neighbouring communities – Okoloba and Okuama, dating back to January 27, 2024.

Some youths from Okoloba were said to have ambushed and killed three Okuama youths – Igho Meshack, Godspower Awusa, and Okiemute Agbabuleke, over an age-long land dispute in the area as they were returning from Okwagbe.

In a reprisal attack, some Okuama youths on Wednesday reportedly ambushed one Mr. Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, held him hostage.

To release the hostage, operatives of the JTF swiftly swung into action and moved to Okuama.

However, the aggrieved youths of Okuama, on sighting the JTF personnel, allegedly opened fire on them at the waterfront and killed two soldiers with some others missing.

Some of the recovered corpses of the personnel had their heads severed off, while the stomachs of others were ripped off with some of the vital organs missing.

At the NDDC jetty in the community, it was reported that the bodies of the commanding officer and two Majors were seen floating by the river bank as others were separated.

In a series of tweets via his X handle, Obi recalled that while people were still recovering from the shock of the death of some policemen, the report of the Army personnel deaths was received.

His tweet read, “Just last week, several policemen were reportedly killed while on duty in Delta State. We were still recovering from the shock over such a sad occurrence when yesterday, we were besieged with the gory reports of the killing of 22 officers and men of the Nigerian Army, also in Delta State.

“In both sad incidents, the dead security personnel were on active duties of securing and keeping peace within our communities, state and country before their unfortunate end, even by the people they were trying to help.”

He labelled the killing as “barbaric and totally unacceptable and should not be tolerated by Nigerians and any sane society. For a nation already combatting a high level of insecurity, the killing of our security personnel who put their lives on the line for the security of the nation will be too much of a burden to bear.”

Obi noted that the cases of kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes have continued to degenerate the security level in the country.

The former Anambra State Governor lamented that in some cases, while “security operatives are making a lot of sacrifices in their line of duty,” they “pay the supreme price.

“We must therefore appreciate and value them by showing empathy towards them and ensuring healthcare for those who are wounded” adding that the government should ensure “adequate compensation and welfare packages for the families of those who die in active service.”

Obi consoled the “families of the security personnel that died,” and encouraged the security formations – the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, “not to be dispirited by these ugly developments but see it as a challenge to increase their efforts in their duties.

“I urge the government and the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in investigating, arresting, and prosecuting those behind these ugly acts.

“May God grant eternal rest to all the security officers who have lost their lives fighting for the peace and security of our nation. May God grant all of us the fortitude to bear this sad, irreplaceable loss.”

Oyo protesters condemn planned demolition of houses for road construction

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Oyo protesters condemn planned demolition of houses for road construction

Affected residents of the ongoing demolition by the Oyo State Government in Ona Ara and Oluyole Local Government Areas of the state on Sunday staged a protest to appeal to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to come to their aid.

The According reports that the government had, last Tuesday, commenced demolition of some structures close to the circular road in the council areas

The affected communities are Fashade; Aba Osho; Igbalefa; Adigbe; Badeku; Akamo; Alase; Ojoku; Dare; Isase; Oleke Meji as well as Ogido, all within the local government area.

Our correspondent, who monitored the protest, observed that children, women and aged ones wielded different placards with various inscriptions such as, “Governor Makinde, please come to our aid,” “No more Circular Corridor,” “Mr. Governor, don’t kill us,” amongst others.

Scores of structures including residential houses, churches, mosques, among others have been demolished with over 1,000 additional property already marked for demolition within the local government areas.

Details shortly…

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Falana demands end to reprisal attack in Delta community

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Falana demands end to reprisal attack in Delta community

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to put an end to the reprisal attacks by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Some irate youths of the community were said to have ambushed soldiers who were drafted to the community to stop a communal clash in the area.

Fifteen bodies of the soldiers were recovered by soldiers of the Joint Task Force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at the Okuama community.

Some youths from Okoloba were said to have ambushed and killed three Okuama youths – Igho Meshack, Godspower Awusa and Okiemute Agbabuleke, over an age-long land dispute in the area as they were returning from Okwagbe.

In a reprisal attack, some Okuama youths on Wednesday reportedly ambushed one Mr. Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, and held him hostage.

To release the hostage, operatives of the JTF swiftly swung into action and moved to Okuama.

Falana, in a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday, urged the military to halt the killings of residents while calling for a full probe of the incident.

The senior advocate had, in a statement earlier released on Saturday night, condemned the brutal killing of the soldiers. He had also called for the immediate prosecution of the suspects who were arrested for their involvement in the crime.

But on Sunday, Falana said, “Unfortunately, some villages were attacked last night by angry soldiers. After the attack, the villages were set on fire during the nocturnal military invasion.

“Having regard to the destruction of Odi and Zaki Biam over the killing of soldiers, the authorities ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent the attack and burning of the affected villages. It is unfortunate that the Federal Government has not issued any statement on the barbaric incident.

“In view of the tragic turn of events, I call on the military authorities to halt the destruction of the properties of innocent people in the warring communities. It ought to be pointed out that collective punishment is a serious offence under domestic and international law.”

Falana continued, “Therefore, the Delta State Government should ensure that the murder suspects and arsonists among the civilians and soldiers are fished out and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements in the society.

“Once again, I commiserate with the bereaved families of the slain officers and soldiers. Since they were brutally killed in the course of duty, the Federal Government and the Delta State Government should compensate the dependants of the deceased military officers and soldiers. Compensation should also be extended to the victims of reprisal attacks by angry soldiers.”

Suspended Zamfara lawmakers flee state, allege threat to life

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Suspended Zamfara lawmakers flee state, allege threat to life

The eight lawmakers suspended by the Zamfara State House of Assembly on Sunday said they have been hounded out of the state by political thugs for exposing the increasing wave of insecurity in the state.

According to the lawmakers, some security agents had been sent to hunt for them without any reason, a situation which made them go into hiding.

Bashir Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the suspended lawmakers at a press conference in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday, said they would not be silenced until action is taken to tame the high level of insecurity in Zamfara.

He said when they moved to effect changes in the leadership of the assembly, it was to draw attention to the alleged prolonged absence of the Speaker and his deputy from the state.

He, however, said some forces in the state have since been hounding them instead of working to make the state safe.

He added that some of the suspended lawmakers were attacked by thugs linked to a politician in the state during the wedding of the Deputy Governor’s daughter on 24 February.

He said a letter with reference no. ZMHA/ADM/223/Vol. 1, dated March 7, has now directed them to return the official vehicles in their care to the Clerk of the state assembly within seven days.

Aliyu, representing the Gumi 1 constituency, said, “We want to notify all that democracy is in danger in Zamfara State despite the prevailing insecurity and other challenges bedeviling the people of the state.

“We hence call for the intervention of key stakeholders to salvage the situation.”

On February 27, the eight lawmakers were suspended by the state assembly for allegedly holding an illegal plenary.

The eight suspended lawmakers are Bashir Aliyu (PDP-Gummi 1); Amiru Keta (PDP-Tsafe West); Nasiru Abdullahi (PDP-Maru South); Bashir Masama (PDP-Bukkuyum North); Faruku Dosara (APC-Maradun 1); Ibrahim Tukur (APC-Bakura Constituency); Shamsudeen Hassan (APC Talata-Mafara North) and Bashiru Sarkin-Zango (PDP-Bungudu West).

Fraudsters targeting retired judicial officers, NJC raises alarm

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Fraudsters targeting retired judicial officers, NJC raises alarm

The National Judicial Council has raised an alarm over repeated attempts by some fraudsters to defraud retired Judicial officers throughout the country.

The Council claimed that the fraudsters had been bombarding its retired Judicial officers with phone calls demanding various sums of money to help them fast-track payment of their retirement benefits.

In a statement on Sunday, the NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye distanced the council from the actions of the alleged fraudsters and urged retired Judicial officers to avoid becoming victims of these unscrupulous individuals.

The statement read in part “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to the incessant phone calls being made to retired Judicial Officers by some unscrupulous individuals demanding payments to fast track the processing of their retirement benefits.

“The National Judicial Council by this medium, informs retired Judicial Officers and members of the public to disregard such phone calls as NJC would never demand money from any Judicial Officer to fast track the payment of his retirement benefit.

“The public is hereby advised to be wary of and report such calls to the Pension Department of the Council for appropriate action”.

The activities of fraudsters have severely impacted the country’s reputation and inflicted substantial harm on their victims.

In quarter 3 of 2022, as reported by the Financial Institutions Training Centre, the total sum lost to fraudulent activities soared by 207.9 percent in Nigeria.

The report added that the sum rose to N3.6 billion in Q3 from N1.2 billion in the previous quarter, while the sum reported to be involved in fraud cases increased slightly by 9.5 percent to N9.62 billion.

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Gunmen shoot printer dead in Rivers

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Gunmen shoot printer dead in Rivers

Gunmen suspected to be cultists, on Saturday, shot dead a printer identified as George Sopruchi at Abakiliki Street in the Mile 1 axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

It was gathered that the gunmen trailed their target to Abakiliki close at about 8:30 pm and shot him dead while he was discussing with someone.

This came about 72 hours after a suspected cultist shot a man dead along the Nanka/Lumuber axis of Diobu.

According to an eyewitness, the gunmen stole his motorcycle and one of his mobile phones.

The eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “It was just like what happened three days ago when some cult boys trailed a man to Nanka/Lumumba who went to buy noodles and shot him dead.

“What is happening in Diobu is becoming scary. Let the police be up and doing so that people can sleep with their two eyes closed here.”

Recall that the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed last Thursday’s killing at Nanka/Lumuber Street, had said investigation was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing culprits.

Efforts to reach the state police image maker on the latest incident proved abortive, as she did not answer calls put across to her mobile by our reporter.

She had yet to reply to a test message sent to her mobile as of the time of filing this report on Sunday afternoon.

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