The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have warned Nigerians to stop selling their National Identity Number (NIN) or face persecution.

These unscrupulous persons have been warned that they will be dealt with by the agency.

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, is currently enrolling Nigerians across the country, following a directive by the Federal Government to Nigerians to link their SIM Cards with NIN or face blocking.

Giving the warning in a statement on Thursday, the EFCC spokesperson, Wison Uwujaren, disclosed that some unscrupulous persons are cashing in on the exercise to induce enrolees to sell their NIN for a fee.

According to him, the buyers of the numbers are also trading with them to persons whose motives are anything but noble.

The EFCC, therefore, warned Nigerians against selling their NIN, urging them to report anyone seeking to buy their NIN to the nearest office of the EFCC or other law enforcement agencies.

The statement said: “As Nigerians struggle to acquire the National Identity Number, NIN, from offices of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, across the country it has come to the knowledge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that some unscrupulous persons are cashing in on the exercise to induce enrolees to sell their NIN for a fee.

“The buyers of the numbers are also trading with them to persons whose motives are anything but noble.

“The EFCC wishes to alert Nigerians that it is not only illegal to sell their NIN, they stand the risk of vicarious liability for any act of criminality linked to their NIN.

“In other words, they risk arrest and prosecution for any act of criminality linked to their NIN whether or not they are directly responsible for such crimes.

“The Commission warns members of the public against selling their NIN and to report anyone seeking to buy their NIN, to the nearest office of the EFCC or other law enforcement agencies.”