26 arrested in crackdown on criminal network illegally issuing government documents
The sting operation revealed that civil servants, local chiefs and middlemen collaborated to bypass procedures and unlawfully provide National Identity Cards, Passports and Birth Certificates.
Authorities have uncovered a criminal network compromising national security by illegally issuing vital government documents, leading to the arrest of 26 individuals, including civil servants and intermediaries.
The sting operation revealed that civil servants, local chiefs and middlemen collaborated to bypass procedures and unlawfully provide National Identity Cards, Passports and Birth Certificates.
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The arrests followed a two-day operation targeting government employees and private individuals suspected of facilitating the unlawful acquisition of these documents. Those apprehended include officers from the National Registration Bureau, staff from the Directorate of Immigration, local chiefs, financiers behind the schemes and middlemen who expedited document processing through corrupt means.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that the operation was triggered by mounting intelligence indicating a structured system of collusion within government offices.
“In a meticulously coordinated operation, detectives have arrested 26 individuals implicated in the unlawful and unprocedural acquisition of vital government documents, including National Identity Cards, Passports, Birth Certificates, and Foreigner/Alien ID Cards, among others,” the DCI said in a statement.
The agency added that investigators discovered how officials entrusted with safeguarding national registration systems allegedly violated protocols for personal gain, enabling unverified individuals to obtain credentials that grant legal identity, access to services and cross-border movement.
“Investigations have uncovered a disturbing network of collusion, where civil servants brazenly bypassed laid-down procedures, exploiting their positions to facilitate the illicit registration and issuance of sensitive documents. This criminal enterprise severely compromises the integrity of government systems and exposes the country to grave security risks, including the undocumented entry and exit of individuals,” the DCI said.
During coordinated searches, detectives recovered materials that should only be found inside government offices. These included filled and blank ID application forms, fingerprint-taking equipment such as slabs and rollers, Birth and Death Certificates, Passports, official government stamps and various registration materials. The items were found hidden in private homes belonging to some of the suspects.
All 26 individuals are currently in custody, undergoing joint processing under a multi-agency team ahead of their court appearance. Detectives said the search for the accomplices still at large is ongoing.
“This operation underscores the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to safeguard the integrity of government systems and hold accountable all those who exploit them for personal gain,” DCI said.
The agency assured the public that investigations will continue until every leak in the registration system is sealed.
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