After PRNigeria Story on Passport Racketeering, NIS Commences Investigation

After PRNigeria Story on Passport Racketeering, NIS Commences Investigation

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced investigation into the unprofessional practices and misconduct of some officials in Passport offices across the country.

This is coming after PRNigeria investigation revealed that some officials of the Service are extorting Nigerians and frustrating their desire to obtain their international passports which is contrary to the marching order given by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The Acting Comptroller General of the Service, Caroline WuraOla Adepoju, has in reaction to the story, expressed deep concern over the development and vowed to address it promptly.

This was made known in a statement by the Immigration spokesman, DCI Aridegbe Adedotun.

“The Comptroller General has ordered an investigation into the matter, especially in regards to the noncompliance with Ministerial directives on the timeline of Passport administration.

“Following the complete clearance of Passport application backlogs nationwide in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a new timeline of 2 weeks for processing and issuance of Passport was announced by the Minister on the 4th of October, 2023. The Honourable Minister and the Ag. CGI provided different phone numbers to the general public to report misdemeanors by NIS personnel at any of our offices. From NIS we gave two numbers: 08028320751 (SPRO), 08067761196 (SA – SERVICOM), and we are not only ready to answer your calls but resolve issues.

“The Service has, on a daily basis, monitored the compliance level at all Passport offices nationwide and at our missions abroad. We receive daily reports on production and issuance of Passports from all Passport Control Officers. As at today, Friday 13th October, 2023, most of our Passport offices are producing Passports of applicants enrolled on Wednesday, 11th October, 2023.

“The Service wishes to use this opportunity to enlighten the general public that applications for reissuance of lost Passport and change of data takes a longer time. Some applicants in this category may put the Service in bad light when they complain of delay and noncompliance with the new timeline.

“These applications are required to go through security clearance and correspondence with Service Headquarters before approval for production,” the statement read in part.

The Service also called on Nigerians to reach out to the authorities for complaints when the need arises.

“Meanwhile, the Acting Comptroller General wishes to appeal to members of the public to feel free to contact the Service through its various public communication channels including Twitter, Facebook handles (@nigimmigration) and our Contact Center on;

• 09121900655
• 09121556359
• 09121477092

“To report any form of misconduct by any member of the workforce for appropriate sanctions.

“The Service enjoins prospective Passport applicants to pleas visit the Nigeria Immigration Service’s official website at immigration.gov.ng to apply for Passports and make payments for their preferred Passport categories and avoid patronizing individuals or entities that request cash payments for Passport services,” the statement concluded.

By PRNigeria