The Nigerian military yesterday issued a red alert over “the prevailing incidences of unauthorised reproduction of the national identity cards by some unscrupulous elements in society.”

Acting Director Defence Information, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, made this known, saying, “In view of the prevailing racketeering, the Defence Headquarters hereby warns members of the public to be mindful of getting their national identification from sources other than the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as such acts of illegal reproduction of the national ID cards could engender a serious security breach in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the North-East.”

He alerted the public that the approved National ID Card, which is a chip-based card, has over 18 security features some of which are not visible to the naked eyes and which distinguish it from any of its kind. Col. Abubakar noted that the genuine National ID Card can only be issued by the NIMC, adding that the printing, which is by laser engraving, stands it out easily.

“The implication of fake national ID cards in circulation is that Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East also used similar method of identification for their members in the past who were nabbed by the military and paraded before newsmen.”

“The general public,” he said, “should guard against patronising unauthorised agents to obtain their national identification as there are racketeers issuing fake cards for monetary and criminal gains. This would go a long way to assist the security forces in the containment of infiltration of illegal aliens who may wish to acquire the cards to legalise their migration into the country to support the terrorists in the fight against the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“The DHQ hereby appeals to members of the public to report any attempt by unauthorised persons to issue, at any point in time, cards similar to the national ID cards to the security agencies. Security, he said is a collective concern of every citizens.”

•Photo shows Col. Abubakar.