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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Isah Idris, has ordered the investigation into a case of extortion allegedly perpetrated by NIS personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The order followed a recent outcry on Twitter by a Dubai-bound Nigerian, who alleged massive extortion of under-40 Nigerians travelling to the country.
A statement issued late Monday by the NIS, titled ‘Alleged misconduct at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, also ordered “the withdrawal” of the entire officials on duty at the time of the incident.
In a tweet on October 14, 2022, a user with the handle @darbyy, had alleged that she paid the sum of N10,000 to the immigration officers before her passport was stamped.
This was despite presenting her UAE visa at the immigration booth.
She also alleged that the extortion scheme is targeted at Nigerians perceived to be below 40 as older travellers do not face 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?
“I also clicked that the 2 people before me on the cue earlier were older, that’s why they were skipped ugh. Realizing what these people were doing made me so upset. I looked at him and said “sir, this money you want to collect from me now, is that what will make Dubai accept me?
“He told me my mouth was sharp and I should stand aside so he could attend to those who were “ready”. Everyone else seemed to be begging them so I was pretty much alone in that fight, I succumbed and said “I have 5k”. He laughed at me and looked away, then I said “I have 10”.
“That your 10k is too small oh, add something”. He said a whole lot more about how someone like me going to Dubai should have money but I’m just trying to wrap this up. He called the first Immigrations officer that took me out the cue and said “she wants to transfer 10k,” she wrote.
Reacting to the development, the statement 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.”