Global Rights has condemned the recent revelations that Nigerians’ National Identity Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), and other sensitive personal data are allegedly being sold on unauthorized websites, as reported by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

The group described the breach as a grave violation of the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution. It warned that the exposure of citizens’ data puts millions of Nigerians at risk of identity theft, fraud, financial crimes, and potential targeting by criminal networks.

Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, in a statement in Abuja, criticized the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for allegedly launching cyberattacks on FIJ instead of urgently tracing the source of the data leak and securing Nigerians’ information.

“We are alarmed at this allegation and note the continued silence of NIMC on the matter. This silence only deepens public mistrust. The agency must publicly prove that the reported Internet Protocol (IP) address linked to the attack is not theirs,” Baiyewu said.

She called on the Nigerian Police Force to treat the matter as a criminal cyberattack, investigate it thoroughly, and bring those responsible to justice.

“Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution mandates the press to hold the government and its institutions accountable. FIJ acted within this mandate when it exposed the breach. For this, the organization should be applauded and supported, not attacked or intimidated,” she added.

Baiyewu urged NIMC to halt any reprisals against FIJ, conduct a transparent forensic audit to determine how citizens’ data became accessible to unauthorized actors, and take urgent steps to secure its databases and strengthen cybersecurity protocols.

She also called on the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promptly exercise its statutory powers to investigate the breach, determine accountability, and enforce the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023.

“Digital rights are human rights, and Nigerians have the right to the protection of their personal data. Failure to safeguard this right undermines their dignity and security,” she said, reaffirming Global Rights’ commitment to defending press freedom, civic space, and citizens’ rights in Nigeria.