Two unnamed officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have been”removed” from the Muritala Muhammed International Airport following their alleged involvement in extorting a fourteen-year-old Nigerian traveller.
A statement by Amos Okpu, the service Public Relations Officer (PRO), quotes the Acting Comptroller-General, Isah Jere Idris as approving the withdrawal of the operatives for professional misconduct.
It will be recalled that a Twitter user, Ratchet Rayne had alleged that her fourteen-year-old daughter, who was travelling out, was extorted some sums of money at the Lagos airport.
She wrote: “My 14-year-old daughter, fourteen, is (sic) travelling by herself. Immigration took all her money before they let her go. They took money from a fucking 14-year-old. Didn’t even leave her with one kobo or one thousand naira so she can buy food while she waits. How wicked!!!”
However, upon receipt of the allegation, the Service via its Twitter handle reportedly contacted the woman and assured her that the matter would be investigated.
“Consequently, the acting Comptroller-General ordered a full investigation including a thorough check on the CCTV at the airport.
” After a diligent investigation by a committee headed by Lagos airport, Comptroller of Immigration, CIS KN Nandap, two personnel who attended to the passenger were found culpable of unprofessional action in the handling of the clearance process of the passenger.
“They have been withdrawn from the airport and all former privileges as operatives at the airport stripped of them. They are currently undergoing necessary disciplinary procedures in line with the directives of the acting Comptroller-General.
The acting Comptroller-General while stressing his administration’s zero-tolerance for all forms of indecent conduct used the opportunity to enjoin members of the public to feel free to report all noticed instances of poor conduct by any member of the workforce for necessary action.
