- Woman allegedly tears husband’s international passport while Immigration officers looked on
- The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said it will investigate and she will be punished accordingly if found guilty
- Nigerians drag NIS for not arresting her at the airport, others want her to be adequately punished
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said it has launched an investigation into the torn passport incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The NIS also said will be punished according to the law of the Immigration if found guilty of the crime of destroying a Nigerians Standard Passport.
In a video circulating on social media, a woman reportedly tore her husband’s international passport upon their arrival.
The NIS issued a press release signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo on Sunday August 11.
According to the release, “The NIS has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media, showing a female traveler destroying a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The Individual has been identified and invited for further investigation. If the allegations are sustained, her actions would have constituted a breach of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), with corresponding penalties outlined under Section 10(h) of the same Act.”
The NIS also added that they remain steadfast in their commitment to “upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments.”
When the video went viral on social media, many Nigerians were quick to notice that the Immigration officers who were supposed to either intervene or arrest the woman, did nothing. They then dragged the officers for not knowing their duties and the NIS for not properly training their officers on what to do in situations like this.
Meanwhile, the woman in the video who tore her husband’s passport revealed that she did so because she doesn’t want him to travel abroad.
Nigerians react to NIS’s press release
Some NIgerians said the woman should have been apprehended at the airport when the incident happened. Some others expressed their embarrassment and disappointment at how the Immigration officers handled the matter in the video.
Others were happy that she would be made to face the law for her actions as it would serve as a deterrent to others.
Here are some of the comments:
@Uncle2Triplets posted: “I was more embarrassed at your officers that do not know their job description. I hope the officers are called and queried.”
@PrinceYemiMike posted: “How did she leave the airport in the first place? Those Immigration officers on duty at that time and venue should also be investigated. People should be held accountable.”
@CodelateAzeez posted: “She should not have left that airport in the first place…but still, good move!”
@Mudiaga247 posted: “I was so embarrassed and disappointed on how the Immigration officers handled the situation at the time it happened. I hope this investigation will be well treated accordingly by law. It’s overstandable that sometimes we get carried away by our emotions, but it’s also important to be able checkmate this kind of emotions that’s not serving.”
@Daddy_Tweens posted: “Some of your officers clearly do not know their jobs. They stood by and allow her leave.”
@Oladapomikky1 posted: “It was wrong of her to leave the airport in the first place. It demonstrates that some of your employees genuinely are ignorant of their responsibilities.”
@Uncle_Olu_ posted: “She tore the passport right in front of your officers and nothing was done. All they said was, "YOU ARE A MAN." As you're inviting her, TRAIN YOUR OFFICERS TOO. Collecting money from travellers at the airport shouldn't be what they're good at. ANYTHING FOR US. BLESS US NOW🙄🤡”
@Olaghidey posted: “This is good, but the officers present at the scene should be queried. They were not professional, and I am not sure they understood their role. The lady ought to be detained and questioned. A female officer was even clapping at the scene.”
@hav3rs posted: “Maybe she wasnt aware that documents like passport are government properties not yours, lol. Thats why the NIS should have nabbed her before she left the airport.”
Nigeria Immigration suspends officer for begging tourist for money at Lagos airport
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigeria Immigration Service 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.