Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has approved the immediate suspension of the production and issuance of Unified Business Identification Cards across the state.

The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security, Babayo Liman, and made available to journalists in Bauchi on Friday.

According to the statement, the move followed reports that some individuals were allegedly producing fake identification cards and using them to extort money from traders and business owners.

Liman explained that the Unified Business Identification Card was originally introduced by the state government to strengthen internal security and improve identification of business operators across Bauchi State.

However, he said investigations revealed that fraudulent persons were collecting about N3,000 from traders while falsely claiming to be acting on behalf of the state government and the Department of Internal Security.

In response, the state governor has approved an immediate suspension of the production and issuance of the ID cards pending a full review and investigation,” the statement read.

He added that the exercise would now be handled by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to ensure proper monitoring and accountability.

Liman also urged members of the public to report anyone involved in extortion, warning that such persons would be arrested and prosecuted.