Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has ordered an immediate suspension of the production and issuance of the state’s Unified Business Identification Cards (UBIC). The decision, announced on Friday by Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security Babayo Liman, comes after investigations uncovered a fraud scheme in which individuals posed as government officials, collected roughly N3,000 from traders, and used counterfeit cards to intimidate business owners.
The UBIC programme was launched by the Bauchi government to bolster internal security and create a reliable database of business operators. It was intended to streamline verification processes for licences, taxes and security checks, while reducing the reliance on informal or undocumented trade practices. However, a recent probe by the Department of Internal Security revealed that unscrupulous actors were manufacturing fake identification cards and exploiting them to extort money from merchants across the state.
In a statement released to the press, Liman said the fraudulent network falsely claimed to act on behalf of the governor’s office and the Department of Internal Security. “Individuals were demanding N3,000 from traders, threatening them with arrest or harassment if they refused,” the statement read. “These activities undermine public confidence in the UBIC system and jeopardise the safety of legitimate business operators.”
In response, Governor Mohammed has halted all UBIC production and distribution until a comprehensive review is completed. The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs will assume responsibility for the programme, overseeing the verification of existing cards, the disposal of counterfeit stock and the redesign of issuance procedures. Liman emphasized that the shift in oversight aims to restore accountability and prevent further abuse.
The governor’s office also called on the public to assist law‑enforcement agencies by reporting any attempts at extortion or the circulation of fake UBIC cards. “Anyone found engaging in these illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted,” Liman warned.
The suspension has immediate implications for businesses that rely on the UBIC for regulatory compliance. Traders and entrepreneurs are being advised to retain any legitimate cards already issued and to await further guidance from the Ministry, which is expected to issue a detailed timeline for the review process. The government has pledged to expedite the audit to minimise disruption to commercial activities.
Analysts note that while the UBIC scheme had the potential to improve security and formalise the informal sector, its credibility now hinges on the state’s ability to address the fraud swiftly. Restoring trust will require transparent investigative findings, robust security protocols for card production, and clear communication with the business community.
The Bauchi administration has not disclosed the number of counterfeit cards intercepted or the identities of those arrested so far. Officials indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that the Ministry will release a comprehensive report once the review is concluded.
Going forward, the suspension underscores broader challenges faced by Nigerian states in implementing digital identification systems amid limited oversight capacities. Successful remediation could set a precedent for other regions seeking to balance security objectives with the need for reliable, fraud‑free documentation. The next update is anticipated within the coming weeks, as the Ministry prepares to relaunch a more secure version of the UBIC programme.
