NIMC recovers 4,555 stolen National ID cards

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has recovered about 4,555 old National identity cards reportedly stolen.

The cards were said to have been stolen at a store house used by the commission in Calabar, Cross River after it was burgled by suspected thieves.

The commission in a statement issued by its press officer, Amaka Eze in Abuja on Monday said the store, where some materials and items inherited by NIMC from the defunct Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR) were kept, was broken into and items, including the 4,555 pieces of the old National ID Cards leftover after distribution years ago were stolen.

It, however stated that the Nigeria Police Force in Cross River has since recovered the stolen old ID cards.

“four suspected thieves who were found in possession of the cards, were arrested by the Police in Cross River state at Eyo-Edem Street, Calabar. The suspects have also been charged to court by the police in line with the theft,” it added.

To this end, the commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Loveday Chika Ogbonna, assured that the recovered cards were not part of the new National e-ID Card currently being issued by NIMC.

He reiterated that the new National e-ID Card, was made in a way that it can neither be forged nor used by anyone apart from its original owner.