Personal data of a billion Nigerians sold online for 100 naira
Fiji journalists says it bought access to details of NIMC biometric database on some shady website.
The personal information of more than a billion Nigerians stored in the NIMC biometric database can be bought online for less than 500naira, according to an investigation by Fiji journalist.
The reported breach is the latest in a series of alleged leaks from the NIMC database, which has been collecting the photographs, thumbprints, retina scans and other identifying details of every Nigerian citizen.
Our report claim that software is also being solnline that can generate fake NIN, a set of identity numbers that is required to access a growing number of services including getting registered sim card and a bank account.
The NIMC, which administers the NIN, said it appeared the some malicious user had accessed only limited details through a search facility that had been made available to government officials.
It said it would seek to press charges against those who had “misused” the system, but stressed that no thumbprints or retina scans had been made available. Mere display of demographic information cannot be misused without biometrics, it said in a statement.
Claims of bypassing or duping NIMC system are totally unfounded. NIN data is fully safe and secure and has robust, uncompromised security.
The report also said anonymous people in WhatsApp groups were charging 1000naira for the details of an account that allowed access to information from the NIMC database. This included a person’s name, home and email addresses, photographs and phone numbers.