President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) integration exercise will help Nigeria identify crooks.
He further stated that the exercise will provide a digital framework for improving security and strengthening the economy.
Buhari stated this while inaugurating the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in Nigerian Telecoms Sector and Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Cards registration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said proper identification of all Nigerians and legal residents in the country and the ability to conveniently access a database would provide an impetus for more effective planning and security oversight.
But some Nigerians seem to disagree with Buhari’s optimism, stressing that empirical evidence show otherwise.
They argue that the present situation where bandits, abductors and terrorists use modern technology to communicate with their victims freely leave much to be desired.
Metrobusiness gathered that some of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity have allegedly resorted to using walkie Talkies now to enhance their operation and as well beat network challenges in some areas of their operations.
“How long will it take government to be able to track down these criminals, even with the hyped performance of communication and digital economy minister. Nigerians are yet to see or feel its achievements,” says a security analyst who pleaded to be anonymous.
To another, “except the president wish to remain aspirational, but eventhen, some of
us are not encouraged with general apathy and cymism about the activities of the ministry. ”
According to Buhari,
“The NIN will cover one of the weaknesses in our security structure. We will be able to easily identify and know the personality of Nigerians. We will identify people easily, including the crooks.”
But, a financial analyst responded : “There is need for government to walk the talk because we are yet to see real action against alleged enemies of the state as even corroborated by government itself.”
