NIS suspends officer over alleged bribe

Okpravero Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II, ASI II, has been suspended by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, for allegedly requesting financial gain from a traveler.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja by Service Public Relations Officer Kenneth Udo, on behalf of NIS's Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap.

Nandap claims that the officer's actions, which were caught on camera and are making the rounds on social media, do not align with the standards of professionalism and values that the NIS upholds.

She expressed her severe condemnation of the alleged misbehavior, stating that it compromised the ongoing reforms that are intended to improve service standards.

She did, however, tell the officer that he had been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, as required by law and Public Service rules.

She stated that NIS got a video titled "This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria," which depicts one of its agents asking money compensation from a traveler.

"This terrible act does not reflect our dedication to hospitality, welcoming, and courtesy.

"As a result, the officer in question has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures," she said.

The NIS chief emphasized the organization's commitment to finding and removing corrupt people from its ranks, by its zero-tolerance for corruption policy.

The comptroller general further stated that the NIS would continue to strive for service excellence by the Federal Government's 'Renewed Hope Agenda'.

Nandap noted that electronic gates (e-gates) were being built at all international airports to improve passenger flow and prevent occurrences like the one involving the suspended officer.

She urged the public to report any instances of misbehaviour or corruption by its officers to the proper authorities.

In a related report, The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has suspended Akomolafe Gbenga Michael, one of its personnel at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, MMIA, in Lagos, over multiple charges of alleged drug trafficking.

This was disclosed by the Service's spokesman, DCI Kenneth Udo, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

He noted that the officer is currently being arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

He said; “The Service wishes to inform the public that the officer in question has since been subjected to internal processes and placed under suspension following the allegation of his involvement in the case in May, 2024.

“The Service, therefore, fully supports the court proceedings aimed at determining the level of his culpability.

“Nigeria Immigration Service awaits the court judgement before making further comments on this to avoid subjudice.

“The Service reaffirms its commitment to excellent service delivery, discipline, and zero tolerance for criminality and will not hesitate to sanction any officer whose conduct is contrary to these ideals”.

NAN.