Nigeria Immigration Service sacked eight officers at Lagos airport as part of crackdown on extortion

EIGHT Customs officers have been dismissed by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) with a further 18 disciplined for acts seen as prejudicial to the agency as part of an ongoing crackdown on extortion by its personnel.

Yesterday, the NIS took the tough action. moving against the officers over various offences, including indiscipline, employment racketeering and other forms of corrupt practices. Last month, NIS comptroller-general Isah Idris, ordered the investigation into a case of extortion perpetrated by officers of the agency at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, after a well publicised case.

This order followed a recent outcry on Twitter by a Dubai-bound Nigerian, who alleged massive extortion of under-40 Nigerians travelling to the Gulf city. As a result, Mr Idris also ordered the withdrawal of the entire shift on duty at the time of the incident.

NIS spokesman Kenneth Kure, said yesterday, that 100 of its personnel working at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, were deployed with immediate effect. he noted that the conduct of the personnel grossly remained unbecoming and unacceptable as members of the service.

Furthermore, he said the decision was taken following the approval granted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board. As part of the action, the chief superintendent of immigration was ordered to go on compulsory retirement and nine others were demoted.

After exhaustive deliberations by the committees, eight personnel comprising one chief superintendent of immigration, two deputy superintendents of immigration, two assistant superintendents of immigration and three rank and file officers were summarily dismissed from the service. One member of the public, a father of three whose two sons are studying in the US, applauded the development, saying he was delighted with the news.

He added: “My sons always have to travel with extra cash because immigration officers always extort money from them. The last time was a few months ago and I got so angry that if not for the amount I had paid as tuition, I would have stopped them from travelling together. I say kudos to the immigration leadership. I am so glad.”

Another traveller said that he was happy that at least he and others could now travel without the fear of being extorted. One Okeke Solomon, who claimed to have experienced extortion in the hands of immigration officers while travelling outside and returning into the country, added that the development was long overdue.