Tag: immigration

The Niger state controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Shehu Musa Ya’u, has vowed to wage war on illegal and undocumented immigrants in the state directing them to leave or face the full wrath of the law.

Speaking in Paikoro during a welcome reception organised by the chairman of Paikoro local government area, Umaru Aminu, the controller said that tightening the borders of the state from illegal immigrants is part of the strategy being deployed to reduce insecurity across the state.

He said that the security agencies across the state are collaborating and working hard to keep the state safe but the people also need to join hands in securing the state by reporting any alien or new face they see within their communities.

“Security is collective, we have been meeting with other security agencies and we will continue to do that and we will make our input. The issue of security is a collective responsibility. We are determined to increase our scrutiny of illegal immigrants and increase awareness of this issue.

“This is because it is those who come into the country without proper documentation that cause trouble for us in the state, so we will need the people to be aware of this and know that people who go in and out of any community should be scrutinized before they are accepted into the community”, he said.

Speaking about the processing of international passports, Ya’u assured that the state command would not delay the processing of the passports adding that the passport would be ready once the applicant has fulfilled all the desired requirements online and has been captured for biometrics.

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“We are assuring everyone that if you come to Minna for your passport, you will get it that same day after your biometrics that is an assurance.”

The chairman of Paikoro local government area, Umaru Aminu donated a motorcycle to the Niger state command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, saying that it would help them ease of movement and improve their quest in preventing illegal immigrants through the state borders.

He applauded the security agencies for their resilience in reducing insecurity in the local government area assuring the council’s support to enable the security agencies to carry out their duties effectively.

Aminu said that the council decided to honour the state Controller of Immigration because he is from the local government area and has always been known for his support, impeccable character, and high level of integrity.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has explained the rationale behind the new international passport fee structure set to take effect on September 1.

Recently, the Immigration authorities announced that the fee increase will not impact applicants applying from abroad.

According to the recent announcement, applicants within Nigeria will now pay ₦50,000 for the 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity, an increase from the previous ₦35,000 fee.

Similarly, the 64-page passport booklet with a ten-year validity will cost ₦100,000, up from ₦70,000.

It, however, added that applicants abroad will not be affected by this upward review.

Stressing the increase in the passport fee was in furtherance with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda aimed at building local content, the NIS over the weekend, outlined four major reasons which it described as unavoidable.

Read Also: Immigration boss orders dismantling of unauthorised roadblocks at border areas

It said the reviewed fee serves for the improvement in passport standard and quality, ensuring that the Nigerian passport continues to maintain the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard.

The Service emphasised that the move is to address the cost of materials and production given current realities.

The Service also emphasised that the changes address the rising costs of materials and production in the current economic climate.

“With the new fees, the NIS will create more Passport front offices and biometrics centres, thereby increasing access to our facilities, decongesting the already existing centres, and improving Passport production turnaround time.

“The recent increase in Passport fees would also help the Service actualise its drive for complete domestication of Nigeria Passport booklets,” it added.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap has ordered the dismantling of unauthorised road blocks or checkpoints in border areas in the country.

Nandap said the Service would depend more on the deployment of e-solutions and routine patrols to curtail illegal movements in and out of the country.

The CG gave the instructions at the Headquarters of the Service in Abuja during a meeting with Controllers of Border Commands and Commanders.

She emphasized ensuring efficient Border Security and Migration Management which are core mandates of the Service, saying personnel of the service should dedicate themselves to their duties, especially border security.

“The realities in our country require extra layers of security at the Borders to prevent infiltration by criminal elements that could fuel crises in the country,” Nandap said.

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She said henceforth, Comptrollers are to employ supervisory strategies, ensure timely report of major movements (entries and exits), and professionally, handle sensitive intelligence requiring urgent attention with recommendations for enhanced Border monitoring.

” These reports are to be submitted weekly through approved administrative channels,” the CG added.

Nandap, in a statement by the  Service Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo further directed the immediate submission of both Manpower and Logistics audit and tasked Commanders on the need for a robust Inter-Agency collaboration for effective intelligence sharing.

She ordered the removal of unauthorised checkpoints and conduct routine patrols to completely forestall dangerous and unauthorised elements from entering the Country.

Udo said the Service further reflected on situations at the Borders to gain useful insights that would guide policy and operational strategies toward enhanced National Security.

He added that the Comptroller General reiterated the Service’s commitment to the deployment of e-solutions, training and the welfare of officers in the field.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nandap has pledged to strengthen border security and surveillance to combat security challenges bedeviling the country.

Addressing Comptrollers of the 36 states including the FCT on Tuesday in Abuja, the NIS CG emphasised the need for effective border control measures to prevent illegal activities, including smuggling and terrorism.

Nandap stressed the importance of physical presence, surveillance, and data collection in tackling security challenges across the nation borders.

She charged the comptrollers to be upright and diligent in carrying out the mandate of the service adding that officers needed to be ontop of border policing.

“The reason for this meeting is for us to know how to make sure our borders are safe and secure. I am sure you all know that upon my assumption of duty, I went round to do an assessment of the border.

” I went round to also find out from our borders what are we not doing right. How do we make sure we are efficient and effective,”she said.

Nandap emphasised that there are numerous security challenges facing the country adding that it require the service’s utmost attention.

She said “Although we have managed to contain the situation relatively well so far, we cannot afford to be complacent.

“As Comptrollers, it is imperative that you conduct regular surveillance and physically be present on ground to understand the challenges faced by your teams.

“The days of remote work are over; it’s time to get hands-on and find solutions to the problems we encounter.

“We can no longer tolerate the influx of non-Nigerians into our country; it’s time to take our responsibilities seriously and address these security concerns head-on.

“We need to ensure our borders are safe and secure. I have assessed our border controls and identified areas for improvement. We need to be efficient and effective in our operations,”she said.

The NIS CG therefore, mandated the use of a reporting template to ensure standardised reporting adding that it would help fortify border policing.

Read Also: Immigration probes woman who tore hubby’s passport

“We have officers in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), but we’re not utilising them effectively. We must change this to enhance our service delivery.

“There are some hot spot that are known for smuggling of migrants, terrorism, you must know what your area is prone to , I mean the prevailing crimes there.

“You must analyse your state and know the crime pattern, only then can you proffer solutions and be relevant to the state government,”she said.

(NAN)

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has indefinitely suspended officer Okpravero C Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI 2) for seeking gratification from a traveller at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. 

The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, ordered the suspension in a letter, asserting that the Officer’s conduct does not reflect the and ethics of professionalism upheld by the Service. 

Nandap said the Service condemned in strongest terms the misconduct as it undermined the ongoing reforms in the NIS. 

The Service also acknowledged the video currently circulating on social media titled “This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria,” regarding the Officer’s misconduct. 

It added that the said officer would remain in suspension pending the outcome of investigations with appropriate punishment in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Service. 

The statement reads: “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 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.

Read Also: UK braces for fresh anti-immigration protests, thousands of riot police deployed

“The public is reminded that electronic gates (e-gates) are being installed at all of the country’s international airports to facilitate smoother travel for all passengers, particularly Nigerians. Among other benefits, this measure aims to prevent incidents like the one involving Okpravero C. Ufuoma.

“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.

“The NIS reiterates its commitment to identifying and removing corrupt elements within its ranks, in line with our Zero-Tolerance for Corruption policy.

“We assure the public that the NIS will continue to strive for excellence in service delivery, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has directed Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers, Divisional Immigration officers and border Comptrollers to be vigilant and ensure that no foreign elements find their ways into the country to take advantage of planned protests to wreck havoc in the country. 

The directive was issued by the Comptroller General of the Service, Kemi Nana Nandap.

Nandap urged all personnel and concerned officers in the Service across the country to ” be extra vigilant and intensify surveillance in view of the planned nationwide protest by some groups.”

In a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, the Comptroller General noted in keeping with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s gateways placed on the shoulders of the Service, officers especially Heads of Border Commands, are tasked to rise to the occasion by ensuring that no foreign element can take advantage of the protest to destabilise the country.

Read Also: Immigration suspends officer over drug charges

Nandap directed temporary suspension of all Leave applications and charged officers to exercise utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties during and after the protest, explaining that Nigeria is the only country we have as our own.

The CGIS assured all Nigerians of the Service’s preparedness to safeguard the Nation’s Borders towards enhancing national Security.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended Mr Akomolafe Gbenga Michael, one of its officers serving at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, for multiple charges of alleged drug trafficking.

Akomolafe is being arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The Service in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Kenneth Udo, said Akomolafe has been subjected to internal processes and placed under suspension following the allegations against him.

He added the Service would wait for the outcome of the case which started in May this before making further pronouncement on it.

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“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,” Udo said.