The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

  • NIS urges agencies on collaboration

    NIS urges agencies on collaboration

    Assistant Comptroller General (ACG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Echefulam Anugwa, has urged federal agencies at the border post to collaborate with one another to check human and drug trafficking.

    Anugwa, coordinator, Zone A (Lagos and Ogun states), gave the advice yesterday during a one day working visit to Seme Command of NIS and Lagos State Border Patrol Command.

    He said this would enable the agencies to combat human and drug trafficking at the border.

    “Our duties at the border should not be taken lightly. We need each other to succeed together.

    “We have to work in collaboration because when the chips are down, security is also down.

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    “We must involve ourselves in intelligence sharing, joint operations and the use of technology such as biometric verification and data analytics at borders, to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks.’’

    The Controller, Seme Command, NIS, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, hailed the ACG for creating time to visit the command.

    The Controller, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Seme, Mr Peter Adache,

    said the command had intercepted more than 100 victims of human trafficking, resettling them with their families.

    The ACG and his entourage took the opportunity to pay homage to Akran of Badagry, to receive royal blessing.

  • Police, Immigration unite against criminality

    Police, Immigration unite against criminality

    To ensure that wanted or suspected criminals do not evade justice by fleeing from the country, the Lagos Police Command and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in the state have pledged enhanced collaboration.

    Specifically, both agencies committed to improved intelligence sharing to prevent fugitives of the law from using Lagos as an escape route from the country.

    The renewed commitment was made at the command headquarters in Ikeja when the NIS state Comptroller, Aliyu Akadri, who assumed duty recently, visited the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh.

    Akadri  said the Federal Government has provided the NIS with sophisticated equipment to monitor movements.

    “Once we get an order from the court that a criminal is wanted or they are looking for a person, we remain at alert.

    “The government has assisted us in so many ways  by making our job very easy. There is no way a criminal can sneak out of the country now that we have acquired some new systems.

    “Any criminal that has a mind of fleeing the country should better have a rethink because he will surely be apprehended, even if he or she takes the illegal route,” he said.

    The NIS boss acknowledged the need for collaboration among security agencies.

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    “If there’s any intelligence report we gather from ourselves, I can easily send it to my brother. If there’s anything that you can assist us with, at least my brother can call me.

    “We are working for the same goal. The goal is to protect Nigeria.”

    Jimoh noted that both agencies had been working for decades, assuring Akadri of his support.

    “I want to equally assure you that during your time, we are going to strengthen that cordial working relationship to take it to a higher level and ensure that we achieve the objective for which the government has set us up. We will equally ensure that the policy and programme of government on internal security are fully implemented.

    “We are going to push coordination between us to ensure that the people of Lagos and visitors enjoy the best of security cooperation between the two agencies.

    “We are on the same page as foot soldiers to work together. The police will collaborate with you. So, there is not going to be anything different. Anything that you are going to see that will be different is an improvement in what we have on the ground.

    “I want to assure you that your tour of duty here will be very successful, building on the existing cordial relationship that we have been enjoying with each other,” he added.

  • Immigration intercepts 21 minors being illegally taken out of Nigeria

    Immigration intercepts 21 minors being illegally taken out of Nigeria

    Yobe State Command, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus, (with registration number 10B-87GM, Gombe State) carrying 21 minors from Labule and Ibeto towns of Magama Local Government in Niger State to Maine Soroa in Niger Republic.

    The minors aged between seven and 15 were intercepted by immigration border post officers, a little distance from the Geidam control post in Dunari of the state.

    According to the Comptroller of the NIS state Command, Mr. S. S. Jega, the minors, who are suspected to be victims of human trafficking, have no idea of their intended destination.

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    Jega also said they had no travel documents or identification to justify their mission and journey.

    He added that their guardian, Abubakar Saidu, 28, who claims to be a teacher in an islamic school, is an indigene of Anaba in Magama Local Government of Niger State.

    Jega also said the Comptroller-General (CG) of Immigration, K. N. Nandap had directed that the  suspects be handed over to the appropriate government agency for further actions, as soon as the NIS concluded its preliminary investigations on them.

    He added that the CG has put the machinery in place to ensure that the borders are secured, so as to mitigate against such acts and occurrences.

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    Okoroafor: I am Mrs. Okoroafor. My late husband Mr Okoroafor was with Stanbic IBTC Pension. His last work place, before he passed away on June 22, 2013, was the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters, Abuja. We have done everything possible, but have not received any payment in the last five years since his death. The details are attached2

    STANBIC IBTC PENSION: With regards to your enquiry on the payment of the late Mr Okoroafor‘s benefits, we would like to clarify the following: That a prerequisite for processing payments due to public sector employees (retired/deceased) is the remittance of the accrued pension benefits attributed to such employees by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as well as the reconciliation of their Retirement Savings Account (RSA). That the late Mr Okoroafor worked with the Nigerian Immigration Service prior to his demise, hence, a request was made by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for the remittance of his accrued pension benefits and the reconciliation of his RSA upon submission of the notification documents by his beneficiary.

    Upon receipt of the deceased’s benefits from PenCom, efforts were made to contact the beneficiary, Mrs Okoroafor, via her mobile number on our database without success. At the moment, we are yet to receive the death benefits application documents from the beneficiary to enable us seek payment approval from PenCom.

    We request that you kindly assist in informing Mrs Okoroafor to visit the nearest Stanbic IBTC Pension office to submit the documents listed on the attached checklist to apply for payment.

    OYEKALE: I registered with Stanbic IBTC Pension, but my money is going to ARM Pension Manager, which I did not register with. My request is that they should transfer my money with interest to Stanbic IBTC.

    PENCOM: Please visit your PFA to undergo data recapturing to solve this issue.

    MRS OGENE: My name is Mrs Bridget, wife and next-of-kin to the late Ogene, who died on September 15, 2011. Until his death, he served in the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mabushi, Abuja for 28 years. Till date, the group life insurance has not been paid. I was directed to the Head of Service for payment and all required documents were submitted. Whenever I called, I was told that the government has not released money for payment. Many files have been approved for payment at each PFA and my name is not among them. I have been waiting since 2011. Kindly help me.

    PENCOM: Please contact the office of the Head of Service for payment of your late husband’s Group Life.

    EKELEME: I work with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and I registered with First Guarantee Pension. I have not received any update on my pension since 2013. Please what can I do? Their website is not too good. Thanks.

    PENCOM: Please contact the nearest First Guarantee Pension office (PFA) to you and notify them of this. They can be reached on 012715505.

    REUBEN: I was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) after the pension verification on July 20, 2017.  I sent my  evidence of promotion dated  December 15,  2017 after the verification through Southsouth Zonal Office of  your commission in Calabar, Cross-River State. But I was paid below my grade and step. What can I do?

    PENCOM: Please we would require your PIN in order for us to assist you further.

    OLAYORI: My name is Olayori Oladapo Fasiu. I am a retiree of the National Assembly Commission.  I worked as a Legislative Aide to a former Senator. We left the National Assembly in 2011 and I have been collecting N7872.87 monthly as pension. However, since last November, the payment has stopped. My pension company is IEI Anchor Pensions. It would be appreciated if you could assist to find out why the payment was stopped. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

    PENCOM: Please we would require your PIN in order for us to assist you further.

    ABDULSALAM: My name is Abdulsalam, a staff member of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA). I have been with Stanbic IBTC PFA since its inception but just this month my pension fund was transferred to Leadway Pension without my authorisation. Please what can I do because I want IBTC as pension manager.

    PENCOM: Please visit your PFA to undergo data recapturing to solve this issue.

     FATIMEHIN: My name is Fatimehin. I am the next-of-kin to the late Mrs fatimehin. She passed away on July 10, 2014. She was a staff member of Federal Polytechnic, Offa. Her PFA is Leadway Pensure in which little amount of money was paid in May 2017 and since then, nothing has been paid again. All the documents requested have been submitted.

    PENCOM: Please note that the Accrued Right was paid under Deceased Batch No. 47 in May 2017. You may please contact your PFA.

  • Border closure has enabled us to arrest many wanted suspects, says NIS boss

    THE Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammadu Babandede, has said the many “wanted suspects” have been arrested following the partial closure of the country’s borders.

    The NIS chief spoke at the weekend at the closing of the service’s management retreat in Lagos.

    Babandede said the new border management strategy unveiled by the Muhammadu Buhari administration would streamline activities at the borders and ensure that people exiting or entering the country utilise the official border posts with the right travel documents.

    The NIS chief said the government was not shutting the borders to bar people from carrying out legitimate business but needed to ensure that appropriate things are done the legitimate way, in line with rules governing border security control and management.

    He said: “To the Immigration, the border drill, which led to this partial closure, is very important. One, it ensures people pass through the recognised entry portals. Even our ECOWAS members have been told to come to Nigeria anytime they wish but they must come through a recognised point of entry, provided you have the right travel documents.”

    Babandede clarified some issues on the enhanced electronic international passport, which has been rectified in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    He said Immigration had made samples of the new passports available to all embassies since March and that many Nigerians had travelled far and wide with it.

    The NIS chief noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was in charge of ensuring a hitch-free delivery of samples to all countries.

    Read Also: NIS flags off e-registration for migrants

    Babandede said: “I want Nigerians to appreciate that these passports have been launched for a very long time, and Nigerians have travelled everywhere with it. I’ve travelled to Hajj with it and I passed through Dubai, using the Emirates.

    “Dubai is not the only country in the world. There was a hitch of delivery, probably from the Foreign Affairs Ministry because we don’t make contact directly with the embassy. Samples have been issued since March. Passports have been issued through the Foreign Affairs Ministry since March. We have sent out the samples and specimen to all countries through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    “I’m glad we have sorted it out with Abu Dhabi. It’s not even Dubai; people who take Emirates do not have this problem. Those who have problems are those with aircraft going to Abu Dhabi. But that has been sorted out. There is only one country we don’t have issues with abot the documents. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has sorted it out with the embassy of the United Arab Emirates. This has been rectified. So, it’s not our fault.”

    Reacting to the 48-hour directive for travel documents to be approved for applicants, the comptroller general said it was a mandate NIS was given.

    He added that the agency would do all in its power to comply with the directive, especially when it surmounts the challenge of booklet unavailability.

    Babandede said: “I explained to the minister that the greatest problem we have for inability to comply with the 48-hour directive is the lack of booklets. I assure you if they start producing, we will do our best, especially in the new places. You know we have started rolling out the passports in Ikoyi, Lagos. Most places have the passport booklets. In two weeks, we will roll out in Kano.

    “But what he said is: ‘If there are no problems – and that has been the directive of Mr. President under Executive Order 01 – that if you fix your timeline, if there is a problem, get back to the applicant. This is why we are doing the retreat. We want to be able to create connectivity; we want to encourage people to pay online.

    “After capturing, that is the beginning of the 72 hours. And if we cannot deliver, we should be able to call in or send a text message, stating the particular reason. If there is no booklet, we should be able to say it; or, if your fingerprint didn’t capture well or the document you submitted is bad or you have already got another passport, it has been rejected.

    “It is expected of us, by order of the Minister and Mr. President, that we respond. If there are issues, we should be able to identify these and apologise. There has to be contact between us and the customers,” he said.

     

     

  • Passport issuance: Immigration officers are still collecting bribe – Babandede

    The Comptroller General (CG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, on Friday raised the alarm that some officers are still collecting bribes on passport issuance.

    Babandede, who disclosed this in Abuja during the official decoration of 48 senior officers promoted to the rank of Comptrollers of Immigration, warned officers to shun corrupt practices, adding that anyone caught in the act would be sanctioned.

    He warned against officers using their uniforms and arms to molest anybody.

    Babandede congratulated the promoted officers and urged them to exhibit a high sense of professionalism and commitment to duty in line with the mandate of the service, especially in furtherance of the Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing buisness.

    The immigration boss, who expressed sadness over the development, said: “I will not promote an officer who has been found collecting bribe? It is not a right for everybody to be promoted.

    “We still have challenges. Officers are still taking bribes on passport issuance. If an officer collects money to get a job for someone, we will dismiss the officer.

    Read Also: Immigration arrests three suspected human traffickers

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has always insisted that we must do our work very well and shun corruption. We must respect human rights. Do not use the uniforms and guns given to you by the government to molest anybody.

    “The elevation of all of you to the rank of Comptroller of Immigration Service is a mark of your dedication and loyalty to the service. It equally comes with a lot of responsibility. Therefore, I want to task you to redouble your efforts to ensure that the statutory responsibilities of the service are achieved and geared towards securing Nigeria against the current myriad of security challenges. We are putting everything in place to ensure that the service makes a very positive impact on the security matrix of the country as well as providing enabling environment for trade and tourism”.

    On the ongoing technology building, Babandede said: “Julius Berger has done well for the technology building. When completed next year June, we shall effectively monitor mobility of our borders. Our responsibility is to ensure that Nigeria is safer.”

    3,413 senior officers of the service between the ranks of Comptroller and Senior Inspector of Immigration were promoted.

     

  • Benue group tips 32 year old activist as Audu Ogbeh’s replacement

    The Benue Elite Development Network has tipped self-style Human Rights activist and public affairs commentator, Barrister Philip Agbese as a possible replacement for Mr. Audu Ogbeh who is the current Minister of Agriculture in the Buhari cabinet.
    The group made the call at an event held today in Abuja where Chief Philip Agbese was decorated with an award of excellence in recognition of his humanitarian activities across the country.
    The group particularly hailed Agbese who has joined hands with other Nigerians to assist in curbing the humanitarian issues in the North East using so many NGOs and directly visiting the place when insurgency was at its peak.
    Leader of the delegation, Engr. Onoja Ugwu whilst singling Agbese for commendation, said the young activist with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Middlesex University London is one of the best brains Benue can trust to represent her at the Federal Executive Council especially in fulfilling the President’s promise to include young active youths who can take the country forward.
    According to the group, Agbese is a master-strategist that has aligned himself with President Buhari’s Change phenomenon and most suitable for the appointment.
    In his reaction, Mr Agbese thanked God for the opportunity and the group for the recognition.
    He said: “It has been our lifestyle to do it the way we do, sometimes we are appreciated and times without number we are rejected by the same people we are trying to protect in the society.”
    He recalled his days on campus as an activist when while fighting for the rights of students in the area of hikes in fees when some will betray the cause and back out.
    “it is normal for people to do things and not appreciated in the society but it is also normal for people to do things and be appreciated I think something in particular makes this one very unique.
    “The fact that the Benue Elite Development network is a group of intellectuals and professionals from diverse backgrounds”
    He said the award is not just well deserved but coming from the right group.
    “I am totally flabbergasted to fit into the shoes of this award consideration ihave honoured people but this is the first time am being honoured in my life and it will remain a memory in my existence for a very long time”
    Mr Agbese further dedicated the award to his family, the staff of TheNigerian News Group who have been steadfast with him for the growth and stability of the organisation.

  • NIS postpones issuance of new e-passport

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has postponed the issuance of the new 10-year enhanced e-passport till April 29, to enable it finalise the integration of the National Identity Number (NIN) with the new passport.

    Mr Muhammad Babandede, Comptroller-General, NIS, disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Sunday James, the Service Public Relations Officer (PRO) on Monday in Abuja.

    The NIS had on Jan. 21, announced that it will begin issuance of the document on March 4.

    According to the statement, consequent upon this, the price of the current passport still remains the same.

    “Applicants are encouraged to visit our websitewww.immigration.gov.ng for further information on fees payable and application process.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new e-passport was officially launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 16.

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    NAN also reports that the cost of the 32-page five-year standard passport stood at N25, 000, 64-page five-year standard passport, N 35,000, while the 64-page 10-year standard passport cost N70,000 and the 32-page five-year official passport is N15,000.

    The new passport has enormous advantages which include ten year validity, self-tracking application and express centers for urgent application.

    Other advantages include weather friendliness, compliance with latest ICAO standard, poly-carbonate technology that reduces incidence of damage as well saving Nigerians in Diaspora time in hitherto frequent visits to Nigerian Embassies for the document.

    NAN

     

  • Immigration to begin compulsory registration of migrants

    … Minister will engage governors, traditional rulers, others, says Babandede
    … Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, IOM, others support process
    … Launches training centre

    All migrants who have stayed more than 90 days in Nigeria are now required to get registered to avoid heavy sanction, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, revealed on Thursday.

    Babandede said this in Abuja at the launching of the NIS training curriculum for personnel training resource centres which will service as migrant’s registration centre.

    Approval to commence the registration of migrants, Babandede said was given last year by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that: “but we felt it is not enough to start inviting migrants to register until we prepare our staff, get equipments and sensitize the public before the commencement.”

    He also cautioned Nigerians that provides accommodation to migrants to educate them on the need for them to obey and get registered.

    Before the commencement date for the registration which was not disclosed, Babandede said that: “We hope that by next week the Minister of Interior will provide leadership and engage state governors and Traditional Rulers on the need to get migrants registered.This is the right way to start. We need the support of all state governors. Migrants resides in the states and the FCT. President Muhammadu Buhari has given incentives for people who are going to register.”

    His words: “No money will be paid by any migrant to be registered. It is going to be free. No migrant will be asked to pay. What we have commissioned today is very strategic for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), development.

    “The training centre is going to be training centre for all our form of training. We are not going to rely on officers going to physical training institutions. It is selfmultivaterd and each individual will go there to read, do training, seat examination and pass. Is an online development.

    “This we are going to replicate in any state of the federation. This one is funded by the donors headed by the International Organization for Migration, (IOM). We want to immediately use the training centre for migrant registration. Approval was given by President Muhammadu Buhari last year.

    “And we have been able to get equipment, a training centre, officers have been trained for training centers. The software have been concluded. It will be rolled out in each state of the federation. The donors are supporting all the states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but we will have two additional centers which is Lagos and Kano. This means that NIS is prepared IT base. People do not need to come the the NIS office for registration. You will register online but before we take your biometrics, you will complete and upload all the documents required. Then by the time you come to the NIS office, we will just take your biometrics, take your photograph and allow you to go.

    “It is intended for anybody who is not a Citizen of Nigeria and who has entered our territory stayed for a period exceeding 90 days. It is mandatory for that person and also mandatory for the person who provides accommodation for that person anywhere that person sleeps to ensure that the migrant is registered. We have a training curriculum for this to guild officers. There is sanction according to the law.”

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Chief of Mission, Mr. frantz Celestin said it has IOM have aligned with various financial and developmental partners in order to support the strengthening of NIS capacity to meet the needs of the safe and orderly migrants processing, to facilitate access to travel documents, improve ability to detect fraudulent documentation and boost its capacity to combat irregular migration.

    Celestin who was represented by Fernando Medina commended Immgration adding that the foreigner registration pilot sites are landmark achievements and the first of its kind in West Africa.

    Donors are Embassy of Switzerland, German and the Netherlands Ambassador, Harry Putker was disclosed that his government donated $1.33 million to support the project.

     

     

  • Polls: FG orders re-opening of borders

    Nigeria’s borders which were shut at 12 midnight on Friday ahead of the now postponed presidential and national assembly elections  have been re-opened.

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, confirmed the reopening yesterday.

    He said Immigration officers officers would continue “their normal border control and patrol duties to ensure that all persons crossing Nigeria’s land, air and sea borders travel with valid and genuine documents.”