Tag: immigration

No fewer than 522 trafficked persons have been arrested within the past one year and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficked Persons, (NAPTIP) the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has disclosed.

The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Wura-Ola Adepoju, who disclosed this, said 208 persons who are objects of migrant smuggling have been repatriated and reunited with their families in the country.

According to her, 12 suspected migrant smugglers arrested and investigated in connection with the cases would soon face prosecution.

She stated that the NIS would deploy Advanced Passenger Information Systems and drones to key borders across the country to prevent the influx of migrants, and suspected criminals and checkmate smuggling of persons.

Adepoju said: “Border security is a collective responsibility and if we get it right, our country will be more secure and safe. We are collaborating with other security agencies to ensure that our borders are safe and we will continue to share intelligence on the issue amongst ourselves.”

The Comptroller-General said the Service would collaborate with Chinese Technology giant, Huawei, to acquire non-weaponised drones and other sophisticated gadgets for surveillance of the country’s borders.

Read Also: Immigration promotes spokesman, 4,851 other personnel 

She added that mechanisms have been put in place to overcome the challenges associated with contiguous borders where criminals who share the same culture and speak the same languages with locals take advantage of such to beat security.

Adepoju said the theme of the Anti-Smuggling Week “The Harsh Search for a Better Life: Don’t be Smuggled”, was chosen against the backdrop of the Japa Syndrome and the need to combat illicit migration from country to country.

She added: “Smuggling of Migrants is a serious transnational crime that poses significant challenges to governments around the world. Nigeria as a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants is particularly affected by the activities of migrant smugglers.

“This illicit trade not only exploits vulnerable individuals and puts their lives at risk, but also undermines the integrity of our borders and national security.

“Being a global concern, migrant smuggling requires our collective attention. It is a violation of human rights, putting individuals at risk of exploitation, abuse and even death. As a nation, Nigeria stands firm in its commitment to prevent and combat it, protecting the welfare and dignity of our citizens.”

She stated that the Service would combat the Smuggling of Migrants through a multifaceted approach involving prevention, enforcement and international cooperation.

Adepoju who said all the security agencies have agreed to share intelligence and work together to check illegal migration added that the NIS is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, faith-based organisations, schools markets, and union leaders to sensitize the populace about the dangers of irregular migration.

She added: “We recognise the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and the deceptive tactics used by smugglers to lure their victims.

“We are working in collaboration with other government agencies, civil society organisations, and the media to educate the public about the risks associated with irregular migration and the legal pathways available for safe and orderly migration.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the promotion of a total of 4,851 personnel and officers across various ranks and cadres in the Service. 

The Public Relations Officer of the NIS,  Adedotun Aridegbe, was among those promoted to the rank of Comptroller of Immigration. 

According to a statement signed by its spokesman, Adedotun Aridegbe on behalf of the NIS, the promotion details were conveyed through a letter from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board, vide CDCFIB/S.33/VOLIV/75 and dated 4th August, 2023. 

The Comptroller General, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju disclosed this  on Tuesday  December 12, 2023 at the Service Headquarters while decorating the newly promoted Assistant Comptrollers General and Comptrollers of Immigration.

The breakdown of the promotion indicates that a total of 18 Comptrollers of Immigration got promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers General of Immigration while 51 Deputy Comptrollers were promoted to the rank of Comptrollers of Immigration.

Read Also: FG decorates new CG immigration, six DCG, demands monitoring of Nigeria’s borders

According the NIS spokesperson, 43 Assistant Comptrollers of Immigration were also promoted to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers of Immigration while 520 Chief Superintendents of Immigration were promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration.

Also, 634 Superintendents of Immigration were moved to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Immigration while 426 Deputy Superintendents of Immigration got promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Immigration.

Another set of 1, 366 Assistant Superintendents of Immigration are now Deputy Superintendents while 

804 Assistant Superintendents of Immigration (II) got promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (I) whereas  990 Inspectors of Immigration were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Immigration (II).

During the decoration ceremony, the Comptroller General expressed gratitude to Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Board, for his unwavering commitment to staff motivation. 

She charged the newly promoted officers to validate their advancements through heightened dedication and unwavering loyalty to authorities.

 She also assured the government that the Immigration Service, under her leadership, would continue to contribute significantly to the peace and progress of the country.

 Among the officers decorated with new ranks are Sunday James, the former Service Public Relations Officer, and George Didel, a former Provost Marshal of the NIS, who were both elevated to the esteemed position of Comptrollers General of Immigration.

The Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, has called for the private sector’s support in the provision and upgrade of operational infrastructure to enhance efficiency in the processing and production of international passports and other travel documents.

The CGI said that such support could come in the form of provision of work tools/equipment and structures in the Passport Office, which would go a long way in addressing inadequate facilities confronting the border control and management agency.

She said intervention in facility provision by corporate organisations would go a long way in fixing the problem of processing passports at a time the travel document has come under increasing demand, on account of Nigerians either relocating overseas for education or greener pastures.

Adepoju added that such unprecedented demand for international passports would put the system under intense pressure, encumbered by epileptic supply and internet band-end glitches.

Speaking at the Nigeria Immigration Service Ikoyi Passport Office, Lagos, when Heirs Group and Total Energies donated a 30 KVA Solar Power Project and Information Communication Technology Project, Adepoju said such intervention besides bridging the gap in operational requirements at the office, will enhance the efficiency of service delivery.

While commending the private sector players for their corporate social responsibility initiative, she said the NIS will continue to seek such collaboration to enable it to serve Nigerians better in the discharge of its mandate in providing travel documents.

She said the gesture of Heirs Group is highly appreciated because it will save the NIS sufficient resources in attending to hitches in power supply, which hampers timely production of passports with the attendant backend internet glitches.

She said what the two organisations have demonstrated as socially responsible entities are to provide assistance in critical areas that would go a long way in changing the efficiency narrative of the NIS.

She urged them not to rest in their oars in constantly helping organisations that cater to the needs of Nigerians.

Adepoju assured the donors that the facilities will be adequately deployed and maintained saying the comfort of its customers/ applicants and the ambiance of its work environment remains a core value in its mandate of service offerings.

Read Also: President Tinubu approves appointment of Immigration CG

The NIS CGI said: “We will continue to call on Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the Nigeria Immigration Service with operational tools and facilities that would enable its personnel to put in their best. This has been achieved through the goodwill of our officers, which we will continue to harness to get the best out of our organisation. The solar power project at our Ikoyi Passport Office will enhance our seamless service for quality delivery and encourage our personnel to work in a conducive environment. This noble project will be well utilized.”

Also speaking, Non-Executive Director, Heirs Group, Awele Elumelu, said intervention on NIS facilities could not have come at a better time, than now, when the global community is pursuing sustainability through greener energy to improve lives, fast track operational processes to ensure 24 hours power supply at Passport Offices.

Elumelu said: “This intervention for NIS will improve the time for issuance of passports. As a company, we will continue to seek ways to improve customer service. Such sustainability will light the path to the development of a green and prosperous Nigeria.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Monday, November 13, revealed that four of its personnel lost their lives in a tragic motor accident along Kano/Zaria Express Way, while seven others are currently undergoing treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, due to injuries.

The Service declared three days of mourning throughout Immigration formations and stations across the country, saying its flags would fly at half-mast in all stations for seven days.

The personnel were returning from Kano after the Presidential Commissioning and Passing Out Parade of the 48th Superintendent Basic Course of the Nigeria Immigration Service at the Immigration Service Training Institute, Kano, on Saturday. The Acting Comptroller General, Mrs Wura-Ola Adepoju attended the event.

Adepoju said the Service was deeply pained by the loss of the personnel, adding that an investigation has been ordered to unravel the cause of the accident.

Addressing newsmen at the headquarters of the Service in Abuja, Adepoju expressed condolences to the families of the personnel, saying, “This has been a deeply distressing and sorrowful moment for all of us within the Nigeria Immigration Service.”

The Acting Comptroller General, who spoke through the Service Public Relations Officer, Dotun Aridegbe said: “I am here to address a tragic incident that occurred yesterday, November 12th, 2023, involving the dedicated personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Yesterday, a group of eleven of our personnel were returning to Abuja from an official assignment in Kano, in an eighteen-seater official bus. Tragically, they were involved in a ghastly accident a few kilometres from Kano.

“As a result, four of our personnel lost their lives. This has been a deeply distressing and sorrowful moment for all of us within the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Seven of our colleagues who sustained various degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano. Our thoughts and prayers are with them for a swift and complete recovery.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service, in light of this unfortunate incident, had to first ensure the families of the deceased were informed and supported before addressing the media.

“Arrangements for the burials of our departed colleagues are being organized with utmost care and respect.”

Read Also: Immigration loses eight personnel to accident

While announcing that the Service stands firmly with those left behind by their breadwinners, she said an immediate investigation has been ordered to ascertain the remote cause of the accident.

She noted: “We are committed to understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic event and will take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

“This is a time of deep reflection for the entire Nigeria Immigration Service family. The Acting CGI has directed all Commands and Formation Heads to fly our flag at half-mast for the next seven days. We will observe a three-day mourning period in honour and memory of our fallen colleagues.

“We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time. We ask for your respect for the privacy of the affected families as they navigate this immense loss.”

The Acting Comptroller-General (ACG) of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Mrs Wura-Ola Adepoju has ordered probe into allegations of misconduct against some Immigration personnel in some passports offices nationwide.

Adepoju expressed concerns over such professional misconduct, saying it was not in tandem with the reforms recently instituted in the Service by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. 

Adepoju insisted that personnel found wanting on the allegations would be dealt with in accordance with the Service rules of ethical conduct and behaviour,  asserting that the Ministerial directive on timelines for issuance of Passports had come to stay. 

She said in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Dr Dotun Aridegbe that the two weeks timeline for processing and issuance of passports had come stay and any personnel who breach the directive for personal gains would be sanctioned by the Service. 

Adepoju stated that following the clearance of over 204,000 Passports backlogs, the Minister had directed that henceforth processing and issuance of Passports should be done within two weeks,  and expressed concerns that it had come to the notice of the leadership of the Service allegations that some personnel deliberately extended the tenure for selfish gains.

Read Also: Applicants will now get passports in two weeks, says minister

She said the Service has on daily basis continue to monitor compliance with the directive of the Minister home and abroad,  whilst some phones numbers have been given to the public to report any attempts of extortion from them by Service personnel. 

The ACG however appealed to Nigerians to appreciate that applications for reissuance of lost Passports and change of data usually take longer times because of verification necessity,  and cautioned that applicants in such category might put the Service in bad light for unfounded allegations. 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cleared a backlog of 190,749 passports application.

This came on the heels of a directive by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, four weeks ago.

The Nation learnt that the NIS currently has about 13,583 pending applications.

The cleared backlog was as at September 27, with the exclusion of out applications filed by Nigerians in the past four weeks.

Read Also: Immigration clears 190,000 backlog of passports

The NIS offices nationwide have continued to attend to Nigerians seeking renewals of expired passports and those applying for fresh booklets.

Our correspondent gathered that the minister had promised to keep a close watch on the operations of the NIS to prevent another backlog of applications due to deliberate human activities.

Tunji-Ojo promised to eliminate human interferences in the agency’s processes to stave off corruption, adding that technology would be deployed to hasten procurement of passport booklets.