- An immigration officer was caught begging a tourist for money at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
- The Nigeria Immigration Service suspended the officer pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures
- Nigerians react, many attest to the extortion habits of most immigration officers
The Nigeria Immigration Service has suspended an officer who was caught on camera begging for money from tourists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
In a video circulating on social media, an Immigration officer was seen begging and pestering a tourist for money.
The Immigration service, in a press release signed by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap on August 7 and posted on their X handle, @nigimmigration, said: The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has received Ka video currently circulating on social media titled “This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria.” in which one of its officers is seen soliciting financial gratification from a traveler.
“We wish to inform the public that the conduct of the officer, identified as Okpravero C. Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI 2) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, does not reflect the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS.
“The NIS condemns this misconduct in the strongest of terms, as it undermines the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing our service standards. This disgraceful act is not representative of our commitment to hospitality, reception and courtesy.
The statement also said that electronic gates are being installed at all international airports across the country to ease and prevent incidents like this from occurring.
The release further stated that: “As a result, the officer in question has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, which are in accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.”
Netizens react to the Immigration official’s suspension
While reacting to the press release, Nigerians said all immigration officers are guilty of the same thing. Many said that Immigration officials are known for begging and extorting travellers, and this case would not be the last.
Some claimed that the Immigration service was only reacting to this incident because it was recorded by a foreigner.
Here are some of the comments:
@MsFisayo posted: “E ma tan ara yin. That's your modus operandi. Last time i was in the country they wan use begging kill person.”
@shollywadash posted: “To be fair, this is just grand-standing. Every human who’s ever crawled thru any airport in Nigeria knows this is standard practice from your officers! You’re only making so much about this because a foreigner recorded it, posted it & now, you’re all embarrassed by it.”
@emiroflagos posted: “Lmao you guys wrote this EXACT SAME press release some two years back. Oh ! Should I share my own videos of my people coming into Nigeria and being harassed? The immigration , the NDLEA , the airport workers , the trolly guys all of you are CRIMINALS giving us bad name.”
@MAIZANKOT posted: “Immigration officers and extortion are 5 & 6. Unless you don't ply point of entry or exit, you'll be milk exorbitantly. Last week at Ikom exit to Cameroon my friend was charged ₦20k for bringing new Passport for stamping they called it "virgin passport".No receipt was issued.”
@lorenzodwin posted: “Honest question; is this the first time the service is aware of this, or is this in response to the viral video? I think I know the answer but just so we can know how serious you are about this statement please provide an answer.”
@Armani4vibes posted: “Police is begging, immigration officer is begging, Are y'all not tired of this country ? Your Madam came on National TV and said you have people on watchlist when the problem is bad governance. Do you know how much y'all could've been earning if not for bad governance?”
@Liebe_well posted: “Unfortunately, this one was used as the scapegoat hahaha. It's a common thing your officers do at the international airport. Lets get better. There's absolutely nothing wrong when a traveller decides to give a tip to an officer but this must not be requested in any situation.”
@blackcorry posted: “He reflects the values of your organization dear press releaser. If a foreigner did post it, it probably would not have been treated like this. Your organization is probably one of the most corrupt organizations in Nigeria make una try fix up instead of dropping press releases.”
@TheBlarkKratos posted: “Everyone of your staffs at the airport do this abeg.
I had to part with money when traveling to Maldives as the officer kept telling me he can make me and my wife miss our flight. My mom was extorted also few days ago at the airport.”
Mixed reactions as UAE resumes visa issuance to Nigerians
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government has signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates government to resume visa issuance to Nigerians who wish to travel to the Middle Eastern country.
The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the development on his official page on X.