Shehu Sani has questioned the point of requiring citizens to link their SIM cards to their National Identification Number (NIN) when it does not affect criminal activities.
Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy stated last year that linking SIM cards to NIN will improve security by assisting security operatives in pursuing kidnappers and other criminals.
He said:
“Some of the security institutions, based on the cybercrime law, are allowed to gain access to the database without coming to us because the database allows for lawful intercept. That lawful intercept was allowed in order to support our security agencies.”
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President Muhammadu Buhari had also urged Nigerians to take part in the synchronization of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with SIM cards across the country, as it will provide a digital framework for improving security and strengthening the economy.
After bandits attacked a train along the Abuja-Kaduna track and kidnapped some passengers, Senator Shehu Sani questioned why Nigerians were asked to link their SIM to their NIN in the first place, given that the bandits were making calls to the families of their victims and no one was arrested.
He said:
“The Train Kidnappers are freely making calls to the families of their hostages; What happened to the SIM card registration and the NIN hoopla?”
