The Police have warned against the practice of taking away National IDs as a form of collateral from people who have borrowed money, especially from lenders who then keep the documents of the borrowers. 

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, said that the practice is illegal and those who practice it, especially money lenders, risk arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.

There has been an outcry from some members of the public who have complained that some money lenders have been confiscating their National Identification cards as a form of collateral while others take away car log books, which indicate proof of ownership.  

The police have condemned such actions, saying that it is illegal to take away someone’s documents, for whatever reason, without their consent; otherwise whoever takes away such documents could end up being charged with theft.

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga explained that national IDs have no economic or financial value and therefore, must be used only for identification purposes.

Enanga cautioned members of the public that the misuse of national IDs can lead to imprisonment.

Enanga added that the Police will carry out raids on the offices of money lenders to search for the National IDs they have taken from people and those who will be found in possession of the cards will face prosecution in the courts of law.

Enanga also asked the people whose IDs have been used as collateral or confiscated by money lenders to report to the nearest police station for assistance.

According to Section 77(b) of the Registration of Persons Act, it is an offense for an unauthorized person to deprive or dispossess the holder of a National ID. It is also unlawful for a person to unlawfully take possession of any ID that belongs to another person.

Meanwhile, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is preparing to do a massive exercise to renew all National IDs that will expire in 2024, as they help those applying for birth certificates acquire them.

Mary Prima Awor