Nigeria: Immigration Service of Nigeria, known as NIS has suspended the Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI-II), as the officer allegedly solicited financial gratification from a traveller.
Reportedly, the NIS Comptroller General – Kemi Nandap, confirmed this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer – Kenneth Udo on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Nandap, the conduct by the officer was captured in a video circulating on social media, and does not reflect the values and ethics of the professionalism upheld by the NIS.
The Officer condemned the alleged misconduct and said that it undermined the ongoing reforms which aims at enhancing the service standards.
Nandap, assured all that the officer had been indefinitely suspended, considering the pending outcome of disciplinary procedures in accordance with law and Public Service Rules.
She said NIS received a video recently, that is circulating and getting viral on social media with the title “This is how immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria.” The video shows one of its officers asking for financial gratification from a passenger.
“This disgraceful act is not a correct representation of the commitment to hospitality, reception and courtesy offered by NIS,” added Nandap.
The NIS boss has also reiterated the commitment by Nigerian Immigration Service to identify and remove the corrupt elements within its ranks, in line alignment with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Federal Government.
Officer Nandap further added that electronic gates (also known as e-gates) are being installed at all international airports to facilitate smoother travel for passengers and prevent incidents, as the one involves the suspended officer.
The officer urged the public to report any form of misconduct or corruption by its officers to the appropriate authorities.
Following the incident many other passengers and travellers have expressed the same they filled the comment section with the narration of their experiences and justified their opinions and views.
A person named Philip Ohinoyi Gabriel commented, “They are used to it at the airport. If you don’t give them, they frustrate your movement.”
Another social media user with the name Consumers Union of Nigeria, added, “Majority of them collects huge amount of money before processing your international passport which you have paid for online. Nigerians are worse than the politicians are everywhere including in the market.”
Another person with the username Marcome Olanrewaju expressed, “He is not doing it on his own, their boss is aware of it. It is because it was caught on Camera that’s why immigration authority is acting like clean and incorruptible institution. They are all addicted in bribe.”