Ex-Buhari’s Minister Explains Rising Cases of Kidnappings Under Tinubu Despite NIN-SIM Policy
- The former communications minister, Isa Pantami, has slammed the security agencies in Nigeria with a strong allegation
- In reaction to the rising cases of kidnappings in the north and the FCT, Pantami said the security agencies are not utilising the NIN-Sim database to carry out their tasks effectively
- The former minister explained how he received threats following the introduction of the policy and expressed worry that security agencies are ignoring it
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The immediate past minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has maintained that the failure to utilise the NIN-SIM policy has encouraged criminality, especially kidnapping, in the country.
Source: Twitter
Pantami disclosed this on his X page (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
The former minister who supervised the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM policy during the former president, Muhammadu Buhari's administration, said the problem was not with the policy but the failure of relevant institutions to utilise it now.
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He, however, blamed the ineffectiveness of the policy on institutions meant to safeguard the citizenry ignoring it despite its relevance in tracking and getting essential details of users.
The former minister was replying to a quote from an X user named Mentus, who asked why Nigerians queued up for months to secure the NIN, which would later be futile in fighting crimes. He stated:
"NIN-SIM policy has been working. However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed. Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy. While in office, I know 3 instances where the policy was utilised, and it led to the success of their operations.
"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."
Pantami's friend donates N50m to rescue five sisters abducted in Abuja
Legit.ng reported earlier that Pantami said his friend offered to pay N50m to rescue five sisters abducted by gunmen in Abuja.
He disclosed this in a statement via his X page (formerly known as Twitter) @ProfIsaPantami on Sunday, January 14.
Pantami said he is personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals, but it became necessary after the gunmen killed one of the girls, Nabeeha.
Atiku reacts as kidnappers kill one of six sisters abducted in Abuja
Meanwhile, a PDP chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, reacted to the death of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was killed by her abductors in Abuja.
Atiku expressed deep sadness over the death of Nabeeha.
The former vice president, in a short post on his X account @atiku, on Sunday, January 14, 2024, called for improved security as he urged relevant security agencies, including the Nigerian police, to step up their game and rescue Nabeeha's siblings from the kidnappers' den.
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Source: Legit.ng
