Isah Idris, the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Comptroller-General, mandated an inquiry into an extortion case committed by agents of the organization at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday.
The directive came in response to a tweet made recently by a Nigerian traveling 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 event.
This is in accordance with a statement headlined “Alleged misconduct at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” which was signed late on Monday by the Comptroller-General.
The directive came in response to a tweet made recently by a Nigerian traveling 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 event.
This is in accordance with a statement headlined “Alleged misconduct at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” which was signed late on Monday by the Comptroller-General.
A person using by the handle @darbyy said in a tweet on October 14, 2022, that she bribed the immigration officers N10,000 before her passport was stamped.
This happened despite having her UAE visa in hand at the immigration desk.
Additionally, she claimed that because older travelers do not experience this treatment, the extortion plan specifically targets Nigerians who are thought to be under 40.
“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 tweet.
According to the statement made late Monday while reponding to the development, the NIS 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 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.”
