The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo says at least 2400 foreigners with fake National Identity Numbers (NIN) have been identified attempting to acquire Nigerian passports.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, Ozoya Imohimi after the minister met the President and Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria, Dr Illiyasu Gashinbaki.

Tunji-Ojo stressed the critical role identity management plays in enhancing national security while highlighting the importance of having a robust identity management system to track and monitor individuals within the country effectively.

The statement partly read: “Identity management is the foundation of any nation, and the prevalence of identity theft in Nigeria is alarming. Unearthing the truth about identities is crucial for addressing critical issues.

“Recently, we uncovered 2400 non-Nigerians with fake National Identity Numbers attempting to acquire Nigerian passports. This passport symbolises our sovereignty and identity as Nigerians.

“Identity management is key to boosting our national security. It enables us to have a comprehensive database of residents, which is crucial for identifying and addressing security threats promptly."