Immigration suspends commanding officers, provides contacts for reporting misconduct

The Nigeria Immigration Service has suspended the commanding officers from certain commands along the Lagos-Seme border corridor in response to allegations of extortion against their personnel stationed in that area.

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, initiated the suspension after online videos and reports emerged showing officers along the border harassing and extorting travelers.

In a statement released on Friday by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, Nandap confirmed that the officers had been temporarily relieved of their roles while an investigation is conducted.

The Comptroller-General has also ordered an immediate inquiry to pinpoint all officers involved and to ensure timely disciplinary measures are enforced.

“Nandap firmly denounced the actions highlighted in these reports, as such behavior contradicts the core values, ethics, and operational standards of the Service,” the statement emphasized.

While the exact number of affected officers and specific commands were not mentioned, the Service affirmed that all found guilty would face appropriate penalties.

The Lagos-Seme corridor, which connects Nigeria with the Republic of Benin, is one of West Africa’s most trafficked border routes, serving thousands of travelers and cross-border traders daily.

However, this corridor has faced ongoing complaints from users regarding harassment, intimidation, and extortion by security and border personnel.

The issue has gained fresh attention following the circulation of videos accusing immigration officers of soliciting payments at various checkpoints.

This situation has reignited public concern about border misconduct and increased pressure on the Immigration Service to respond swiftly.

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Since taking office in January 2024, Nandap has emphasized that her leadership would focus on discipline, accountability, and professionalism.

Earlier this year, during the promotion of new comptrollers, she cautioned officers against actions that could tarnish the agency’s image and urged them to maintain integrity in their roles.

Reiterating its commitment in Friday’s statement, the Nigeria Immigration Service stated its dedication to providing professional, transparent, and efficient services at all entry and exit points nationwide.

The Service declared it would not tolerate any actions that could diminish public trust or damage the agency’s reputation.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service is committed to serving with integrity, discipline, and professionalism while facilitating lawful migration,” the statement concluded.

The Service also encouraged the public to report any misconduct by officers via its official social media channels on X, Instagram, and Facebook (@nigimmigration) or through its 24-hour contact center: 09121900655, 09121556359, and 09121477092.