By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned Nigerians against a social media post offering free NIN correction on a fraudulent portal.

The commission, which is charged with regulating Nigerians’ data information, described the message and its accompanying links as a phishing scam designed to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, according to a public advisory issued on Tuesday on its X handle.

The agency assured citizens that the National Identity Database remains secure and protected from unauthorised access.

“NIMC warns the public against a fraudulent social media post claiming a free ‘Correction Portal’ is open via malicious links. This is a phishing scam,” it said.

“We assure citizens that the National Identity Database is secure and fully protected,” it added, urging Nigerians not to interact with suspicious links circulating online.

The agency advised members of the public not to click any unauthorised links and to rely only on official channels for any data modification, update, or correction requests.

According to NIMC, individuals seeking to update or correct their National Identification Number records should use the official self-service portal or visit authorised enrollment centres nationwide.

It asked users to access its self-service platform through its official portal and to verify information and updates through its official communication channels, charging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious messages claiming to offer identity-related services outside approved platforms.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over online scams targeting personal data and identity information, with fraudsters increasingly using fake websites and social media posts to lure victims.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The industrial action embarked on by some members of the trade unions at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been called off.

The Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, Mr Eniola Akinkuotu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the one-day strike was suspended after negotiations between the aggrieved workers and the management.

The decision of the organisation’s employees to refuse to work paralysed activities yesterday, but after the action was called off, work has fully resumed.

The two in-house unions involved in the talks were the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

In today’s statement, NUPRC admitted that the strike affected only administrative work, but did not impact regulatory activities in oil and gas facilities, urging members of the public to disregard false reports on crude oil production disruptions as well as misleading publications stating that the disagreement centred on foreign training.

The NUPRC has promised to improve the operating environment of its workforce and prioritise staff development in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tin Can Island Port Command has disclosed that it halted the discharge of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from a vessel, MT NY Maria, after discovering that the ship had commenced operations without obtaining the requisite Customs clearance and while still under official Customs seal.

The command said the enforcement action was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, stressing that the vessel was found discharging petroleum products at the MRS Terminal, also known as Dantata Jetty, Tin Can Island Port, without completing mandatory Customs procedures.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara, the service explained that officers of the Boarding and Rummaging Unit initially boarded the vessel on May 23, shortly after its arrival from the Dangote Refinery, to conduct routine documentation and compliance checks.

According to the statement, customs officers discovered that the vessel did not possess complete documentation, particularly the mandatory Last Port Clearance required from its port of origin.

“In line with established procedures, officers granted the vessel’s agent a two-day period to provide the outstanding document while the vessel was lawfully sealed and placed under Customs control pending compliance,” the statement said.

The command noted that despite the directive, intelligence reports later revealed that the vessel had commenced discharge operations on May 27 without securing Customs clearance and while still under official seal.

“Officers who mobilised to the terminal encountered resistance from security personnel stationed at the facility before eventually gaining access to the premises,” the statement added.

Customs said the ship master was immediately directed to stop the discharge operation and report to the Enforcement Unit to provide official statements regarding the incident.

“The vessel was subsequently resealed in accordance with extant procedures,” the Command stated.

The service also dismissed reports suggesting that the ship master was arrested, clarifying that he was only invited to make statements as part of an ongoing investigation.

“The ship master was not arrested as alleged in some quarters. He was invited to provide official statements in connection with the ongoing investigation into the incident,” the statement explained.

Providing the legal basis for its actions, the Command said Sections 30 to 35 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 empower Customs officers to conduct inspections, verify documentation, examine cargoes and enforce compliance within Customs Control Zones.

“The discharge of PMS by MT NY Maria without requisite clearance and while under Customs seal constituted a direct violation of Sections 46 to 58 of the Act relating to reporting obligations, goods declaration, presentation of goods, unloading procedures, and release of goods under Customs control,” the statement said.

The command further stressed that the Act grants Customs officers powers to board, inspect, detain and enforce compliance measures on vessels and cargoes operating within Customs-controlled areas.

Reaffirming its commitment to regulatory enforcement, the Service said it would continue to safeguard the nation’s economic interests through strict compliance monitoring at the country’s ports.

“The service will continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities professionally, transparently, and without fear or favour in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and national security interests,” the statement concluded.