In a clear contradiction of the position of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on the use of the commission’s new Mobile Identification Application (MWS), Anjuri Ngelale, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs has asked Nigerians to commence use of the mobile application.
The advice shared on Twitter Sunday, August 15 was to Nigerians who have gotten their National Identity Number (NIN) but yet to receive the NIMC cards.
The statement followed an announcement made by Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior on August 14 regarding the transition from the issuance of NIMC card to the National Identity Number (NIN).
“The card is just for convenience; the real thing is the number you have. With that number, you are on the databank,” Aregbesola stated in a report by ThisDay Newspaper.
“Everything about you is there. We are just upgrading it such that your DNA too will be there very soon.
“Even if you are in a car, I will know if you are the one in the car with your DNA. It’s already captured. You are already captured, you cannot run away anymore,” Aregbesola said.
But Anjuri’s advice to Nigerians may have cost those who eventually downloaded and used the mobile application a data breach.
This is because as of the time he made the announcement, the Commission was yet to officially launch and declare the application safe for public use.
Both the website and official social media handle of the NIMC had no such information as of August 15.
Also, the press release and tweet from the Commission until August 18 on social media had announced different information, without mentioning MWS App.
Ngelale said with the MWS App, the public could reduce the time wasted at the NIMC offices while trying to receive the physical cards.
“Patriot, for those who have successfully registered for the NIN, kindly use this excellent medium to eliminate wait time and expense for the national identification cards,” he tweeted on Sunday, August 15, 2020.
“Download App on link below, input NIN number and mobile number, then print.”
The news was widely accepted by most people on social media until some users began to express concerns about the suspected glitch in the technology.
Some complained of being presented with wrong identities when they input their NINs and mobile numbers as directed. Others complained over wrong photographs.
Michael @itsparrow, one of the complainants criticised the application for producing a different identity such as image and personal details of a different user.
“This thing seems like scam oo, for them to have your details. it’s bringing out someone else’s details and photo,” he tweeted in response to the thread.
A social media user identified as Prosperity @prosperiosy had similar experience of conflicting data.
“@nimc_ng after downloading the App and inputting my NIN, I found out that the ID was not mine. See attached; how come about this error and how can it be rectified?” he tweeted.
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