An investigation has been launched by the Nigeria Immigration Service against some of its officials over the alleged extortion of passengers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
According to The PUNCH, the probe was ordered by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Idris, on Monday.
The directive came in response to a tweet made recently by a Nigerian travelling to Dubai who claimed that numerous under-40 Nigerians were being extorted.
Additionally, Idris gave the order to “withdraw” the whole shift that was working at the time of the incident as disclosed in a statement titled ‘Alleged misconduct at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.’
On October 14, 2022, a user with the handle @darbyy claimed in a tweet that she paid N10,000 to border officers before her passport was stamped.
Despite the fact that she had presented her UAE visa at the immigration counter.
She further said that the extortion program targets Nigerians under the age of 40, whilst elder travellers are not subjected to such treatment.
“It was then I noticed all the people they had brought to this (separate) aisle were young and going to Dubai. It was all a plan to use fear to exploit us. The couple got their passport stamped after paying. Oga turned to me and said “it’s in your hands. How much do you have?” wrote the tweep.
Responding to the development, the NIS in a statement late Monday said, “Following the recent allegation by a Dubai-bound Nigerian citizen of sharp practices by some Personnel during passenger clearance which occurred about 3 weeks ago at the Lagos Airport, the Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Idris, MFR, has ordered an investigation into the matter.
“Furthermore, he ordered the withdrawal of the entire shift on duty at the time of the incident to allow unhindered investigations. The Comptroller General wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate his administration’s zero tolerance for sharp practices and that such would be met with stiff sanctions to any staff found involved.
“The CGI hereby encourages members of the public to feel free to contact the Service through its various public communication channels, including Twitter and Facebook handles @nigimmigration to lay complaints and report any misdemeanour by any member of staff for appropriate sanctions.”
