That Nigeria Immigration Service Scandal

August 11, (THEWILL) – As the primary organisation that almost all travellers coming into the nation work together with formally, the Nigeria Immigration Service is greater than a picture maker. Its portfolio is so massive that solely a foul official will trifle with it. Extra so, when that official is of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II, ASI. And the world of operation is likely one of the busiest worldwide gateways to the nation, the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport, Lagos.

So when an official, an ASI for that matter, was caught in a viral video titled “That is how Immigration officers deal with vacationers in Nigeria”, soliciting monetary gratification from a traveller, it appeared like related movies that derided the NIS prior to now. The saviour this time is that the NIS reacted swiftly by suspending the wrongdoer recognized within the video; ASI 2, Okpravero C. Ufuoma.

The traveller had unknowingly captured him, utilizing camera-enabled eyeglasses, soliciting cash whereas on obligation. The NIS, in an announcement on its X deal with on Thursday, condemned Ufuoma’s alleged misconduct in very robust phrases.

The assertion, which was e-signed by the Comptroller Basic, Nigeria Immigration Service, Okay. N. Nandap, and dated August 7, acknowledged that the NIS obtained the video, recognized the wrongdoer, condemned his misconduct, which “doesn’t mirror the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS, because it undermines the continuing reforms geared toward enhancing our service requirements.” This disgraceful act, it stated, will not be consultant of “our dedication to hospitality, reception, and courtesy.”

It went forward to remind the general public that digital gates (e-gates) are being put in at the entire nation’s worldwide airports to facilitate smoother journey for all passengers, significantly Nigerians.

This measure, it claimed, goals to forestall incidents just like the one involving Okpravero Ufuoma, who has been suspended indefinitely, pending the result of disciplinary procedures, that are in accordance with the legislation and Public Service Guidelines.

“The NIS reiterates its dedication to figuring out and eradicating corrupt parts inside its ranks, consistent with our Zero-Tolerance for Corruption coverage.” Certainly, the features of the NIS, as earlier talked about, are so massive and reflective of the nation’s picture that it ought to not be handled with levity, both by its officers or the authorities.

For the avoidance of doubt, the NIS features as spelt out in its books are ruled by the Immigration Act, 1963, CAP II Legal guidelines of the Federation 2004 which embrace the management of entry into and departure from Nigeria and monitoring of non-Nigerians within the nation, implementation of Nigeria’s extant visa regime, execution of deportation and repatriation orders, manning all of the nation’s border posts (land, sea and air), issuance and management of all journey paperwork, willpower of refugees and asylum seeker, implementation of assorted treaties (bilateral, multilateral) entered into by Nigeria with different nations, anti-Human trafficking actions, border patrol and surveillance, advice of Non-Nigerians requiring citizenship or naturalisation to the Minister of Inside.

We hope the NIS boss will do as she has promised within the assertion about Ufuoma; not simply stopping the investigation and making use of disciplinary measures but additionally finishing up a radical overhaul of the now proverbial corrupt system that presently prevails within the place. There are lots of Ufuomas within the system. They have to be fished out and handled in essentially the most indiscreet method.

This isn’t the primary time movies of such nature have surfaced prior to now, although not below the present management. However, now that she has vowed to scrub up the place, we urge her to take action with out sentiment.

On this age of social media, the present video about Ufuoma’s motion is not only damaging to the NIS but additionally to the citizenry, no due to the worldwide notion index on corruption that ranks Nigeria 145 out of 180 nations and scores her 25 out of 100 factors within the just lately launched 2023 Corruption Notion Index, printed by Transparency Worldwide Nigeria in January, 2024.

Lastly, we urge the NIS to make the result of their investigation public. This can serve to whip personnel into line and ship a message that an vital organisation just like the NIS is concerned in eliminating dangerous eggs in its ranks.