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Tag: NIS

  • Navy, Immigration arrest 10 ‘stowaways’

    Nine Nigerians and a Niger Republic national trying to enter Europe illegally have been arrested by security operatives in Lagos.

    The suspects were apprehended inside two Merchant Vessels- MV MSC PAOLA and MV MAERSK CHANNIA – by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) respectively.

    It was gathered that five of the suspects, were apprehended by naval personnel during routine patrol on Monday, while others were caught by NIS officers on Sunday by the Fairway Buoy.

    The suspects, it was learnt, got into the vessels with the help of local fishermen, not knowing that foreign ships only sailed within West African waters.

    Parading the suspects on Wednesday, NIS Lagos Seaport and Marine Comptroller, Modupe Anyalechi, said those arrested on Sunday were discovered inside a rudder truck of MV MSC PAOLA.

    Anyalechi listed the suspects as Orire Popoola, Kelvin Wessey, Erukudami Moses, Odiyeye Abiye, Agba Victor, Odogwu Michael, Kelly Onikan, Pope Ekele, Asumah Ukpere and Wessem Nasuru.

    She said: “Our efforts have made it almost impossible for stowaways to access vessels from the quayside; hence, they now resort to using canoes with the assistance of fishermen, to get into vessels through the propellers when the vessels are gradually sailing to the high sea along the channel.

    “This was confirmed in the confession of the stowaways. Their reason for this act, as they claimed, was in search of greener pastures in Europe and the western world. Unknown to them, some of these vessels are coastal ships, whose activities are limited to West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.”

    One of the suspects, Odogun, an artiste, said he had been performing at different shows without making headway in life, adding that he thought the risk would change his destiny for the better.

    He said: “I do not hate my country and I am not trying to run away from Nigeria. I just needed a place where I can find help. I am an artiste and I have gone for many shows without making it. I am not aware of the risk I took; but I believed whatever the risk involved, God would save me and I would not die. And thankfully, I did not die even when I was apprehended by my own government. My mother died two months ago and my father is crippled. I am the first child of my father and my only brother is in the village.”

    Popoola, 28, admitted his boarded the vessel in search of better life, adding that he went in as individual.

    The suspect said he had thought the vessel was Europe bound, adding that he was prepared to risk it all to go overseas.

    He said: “I will take any risk to find my way out of Nigeria. I have no job. I am doing nothing. I believe if I can follow a ship to Europe, I can be anything I want to be. I thought the ship was going to Holland or anywhere in Europe where I could make it.”

    Wessey, 24, who claimed to be a Lagos State indigene, said he wanted to leave the country to play for a football club in Europe.

    He said: “I have been suffering for many years to be somebody in life, but no way. I am a footballer; but I don’t have connection. I want to play for big clubs in Europe. I know Nigeria has academies here, but I don’t have any connection. I felt if taking this risk will make me achieve in life, then so be it. I know I could have died while doing this. But I did it on purpose.

    “I lost my mother in October 2017. I have no relative or helper. I cannot steal or rob or carry gun, which I believe will be adding hardship to my life. I will rather take the risk of going abroad to be somebody in life. Now that I have been arrested, only God knows what will happen to me.”

    Opere said he had been frustrated by joblessness, adding that his attempt at joining the Immigration Service had been futile due to lack of funds.

    He said: “I thought the ship was going to the western world. The life I am living in Nigeria is meaningless. I have looked for jobs in many companies in Lagos without getting any. When I got the recruitment form to join Immigration, I could not process it because I didn’t have money and my parents are dead. This is the reason I wanted to try my best to get there. I know that if I get there, I will find a better life for myself than the one I am living here.”

  • NIS promotes 78 officers in Osun

    NIS promotes 78 officers in Osun

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted 78 officers in its Osun State Command.

    It urged the officers to rededicate themselves to their duties and keep working hard.

    Out of the 78 newly promoted officers, 77 were decorated with their new ranks at the Immigration office in Osogbo, the state capital, amidst joy and excitement.

    Deputy Comptroller Ogba Edward, who was promoted to the rank of Comptroller, was decorated in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The state’s Comptroller of NIS Mr Adebowale Idowu said the state command was known for discipline and hard work.

    He urged his men to do more.

    Idowu also urged them to justify their elevation.

    The ceremony was attended by Police Commissioner Fimihan Adeoye; the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Aboluwoye Akinwande Ebenezer; the Comptroller of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Mr Segun Oluwasemire; the Assistant Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Indubusi Agu and the Assistant Comptroller of the NIS, who is also the Passport Control Officer (PCO) in the state, Prince Adedayo Oyinlola.

    Police Commissioner Fimihan Adeoye urged the newly promoted officers to add value to the service and the nation.

    He said: “The actual value of a man is not by what he has received but by what he has given. You are expected to do more by giving more to humanity. That’s when you are valuable in real sense.

    “I congratulate you and I appreciate your families for their sacrifices, which enable you to do your work and reach this level.”

    NPS Comptroller Segun Oluwasemire and NSCDC Commandant Aboluwoye Akinwande Ebenezer also congratulated the newly promoted officers.

     

     

  • Police, NIS sign MoU on Interpol

    Police, NIS sign MoU on Interpol

    The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS), on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the extension of the use of INTERPOL i-24/7 to the service.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris who was represented by the DIG in charge of Operations, Mr Habila Joshak signed on behalf of the police.

    The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Muhammed Babandede who signed on behalf of the service, was also represented by Mr Raymond Jaja, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration in charge of border management.

    Idris said that the signing of the MoU would afford other law enforcement agencies in the country access to critical intelligence information on the organisation’s system.

    He also said that the initiative would allow the conduct of joint national and transnational operational collaboration and as well capacity building between the agencies.

    “This access when fully operational will optimally lead to a corresponding increase in the arrest of fugitives, wanted persons among others.

    He added that the office of the National Security Adviser has promised to implement the programme through coordinated meetings.

    The police boss said that plans were at advance stage to present MoU and other INTERPOL documents to all relevant law enforcement agencies in the country,

    He said that the collaboration between the agencies would enhance the operations of their officers on the field.

    Idris noted that sharing of intelligence information had nothing to do with superiority of service.

    Babandede said that the signing of the MoU was an index to the commitment of the Federal Government to end criminality in the country.

    He assured that the service would implement the MoU in view of the security challenge in the country.

    The immigration boss also said that it gives the service a better opportunity to fish out criminally minded persons who come into the country illegally.

    “The Nigeria Immigration Service will be more than ever prepared to share this synergy with other law enforcement agencies in the country,” he said.

    In his remark, the Commissioner of Police in charge of INTERPOL, Mr Olushola Subair said that the MoU was aimed at intensifying the fight against crimes in the country.

    He said that the NIS was an important ally to the police in fighting crimes in the country.

    Subair added that with the signing of the MoU, criminals would no longer have any hiding place in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NIS was the first law enforcement agency to sign the MoU.

    NAN also reports that the IG officially inaugurated the refurbished National Central Bureau Headquarters, Abuja and the upgrade of INTERPOL in January.

  • Nigeria only African country issuing biometric visa — Official

    Nigeria only African country issuing biometric visa — Official

    Nigeria is currently the only African country issuing biometric visa, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mr Abubakar Magaji.

    Magaji stated this at the 2017 End-of-Year Dinner and Award Night of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja.

    Representing the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), at the occasion, he said the biometric visa was one of the outstanding achievements of the NIS in 2017.

    “I want to congratulate the officers and men of the Service, especially the awardees, and to tell you that we are proud of you.

    “You have done an excellent job this year. You have won an excellent award of the ease of doing business.

    “You have made us proud because at this moment, Nigeria is the only country in Africa that is issuing biometric visa.

    “It started this year, but we have already launched it. I know the biometric visa is going to block many people that we don’t want to come to Nigeria,” he said.

    While urging the agency to do more in the coming year, Magaji assured it of the continued support of the ministry, which supervises the NIS.

    Reeling out other achievements of the NIS, Chairperson of the event planning committee, Mrs Edith Onyemenam, said it was one of the first federal agencies to implement the Presidential Executive Orders issued earlier in the year.

    Onyemenam, a Comptroller of Immigration, said the NIS was also the first agency to be awarded the Presidential Impact Award in recognition of its contribution to the country’s ease of doing business.

    She said the introduction of online pre-approval for Visa on Arrival, contributed greatly to the country’s improvement in the World Bank’s ease of doing business ranking from 169th to 145th position.

    In his address, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Mohammed Babandede, described 2017 as a wonder year for the NIS.

    “We achieved a lot not because I am the best or that I can work hard. Neither was it because I am intelligent. It is because I am lucky to have a good team.

    “I am glad to say that Immigration Service has written its name in gold. We have been able to become one of the best.

    “We have done the best training this year that has never been done in the history of Immigration service.

    “We have trained officers in every training institution. I think we will do more,” Babandede said.

    He congratulated the award recipients, who he said were selected through a transparent process, and urged them to do more.

    The NIS boss reemphasised the need for men and officers of the Service to diversify their sources of income through agriculture.

    He said they were permitted by law to embark on agriculture as a business, adding that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was willing to assist them.

    Speaking in this vein, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, urged the NIS staff to embark on farming to escape poverty and hunger in retirement.

    “I used to be the chairman of a political party whose name I can’t remember now,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

    “And I kept telling them that every officer in this country, especially politicians, should have a second address which, for you, is agriculture.

    “The Constitution allows you to practise it. Please, get involved, I am talking from experience.

    “The worst thing that can happen to you is to retire into hunger and poverty, idleness and early death.

    “Stay active, go to your farm, keep busy and you will live long,” Ogbeh said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured music, cultural dance performances and comedy in a convivial atmosphere.

    Several men and officers of the agency were honoured with different awards in recognition of their exceptional qualities and outstanding service.

    Service chiefs and heads of paramilitary agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were represented at the occasion.

  • Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, condemned the resurgence of slavery in some parts of Africa, saying that the development was worrisome.

    Speaking at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Comptroller General of Immigration held at the MITROS Residences in Abeokuta, Obasanjo said that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest  term possible.

    The theme for the conference was : ” Managing Migration and Facilitating Trade and Development in 21st Century Nigeria : NIS’ Perspective”.

    The former president noted that the current development in Africa should be a sober reflection for African leaders.

    He explained that the leaders must feel a sense of regret on what they ought to do, what they had done and what they had not done.

    “I believe that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest language possible and nobody who is involved in it should be excused.

    “What can we do and what must we do? We must ensure that conducive atmosphere is created for genuine exchange of goods and ensure development within our country, sub-region, continent and the world which we live.

    “But then today, migration has a very nasty connotation particularly when you watch the television and you hear the story of thousands of our youths daring to go through the desert.

    “Then after they have embark on such perilous  journeys, some of them are sold as slaves. Slaves in the 21st century, Africans being sold by Africans and maybe to Africans.

    “All of us as leaders must feel a sense of regret and have sober reflection on what we have done or what we have not done to bring this about to our own people, ” he said.

    Obasanjo, charged the men of the NIS  to imbibe the culture of training, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service, saying that all these must not be taken for granted.

    Read also:Politics not about life and death – Obasanjo

    In his address, the Comptroller – General of NIS , Muhammad Babandede, said that the service was committed to safe and regular migration of Nigerian citizens and foreigners.

    He disclosed that the current issue being witnessed  in Libya was not new to the NIS and it had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace.

     

    Earlier, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open, also condemned the resurrection of slave trade in Libya, saying that African leaders should rise to condemn the act.

    Amosun charged all the participants at the conference to see the programme as an avenue to brainstorm and come up with practical solutions that would be of benefits to the Nigerians and the country.

    NAN

  • Immigration probes alleged extortion at Nigerian High Commission in UK

    Immigration probes alleged extortion at Nigerian High Commission in UK

    Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said on Monday it has commenced investigation into alleged extortion of international passport applicants at Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom.

    The Spokesman of the NIS, Mr. Sunday James, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

    James, who said the agency’s attention has been drawn to a video of some Nigerians protesting the alleged extortion at the High Commission, added that “the protesters alleged that some officials of the High Commission are unduly surcharging them for passport issuance.

    He said: “It has become necessary to state that payment for passports are done online and so nobody is expected to come to the High Commission with cash, let alone any case of extortion.

    “In the meantime, machineries have been put in place to unravel the veracity of the allegation.”

    He advised Nigerian passport applicants in the UK and other parts of the world to formally report any form of extortion through immigrationspro@gmail.com, nis.servicom@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng or call +2347080607900.

    The NIS spokesman cautioned against the use of abusive language by protesters, saying such was capable of tarnishing the image of the country.

    NAN

     

     

  • Justice Ngwuta used two passports simultaneously – Witness

    Justice Ngwuta used two passports simultaneously – Witness

    The Nigerian Immigration service (NIS) on Friday told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court used two similar international passports interchangeably.

    A senior Staff of the NIS, Mr. Tanko kutana, stated this during cross-examination by counsel to the defendant, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

    Justice Ngwuta was among seven judges arrested during a sting operation by the Department of State Service (DSS) in October last year.

    The defendant was alleged to be in possession of multiple standard passports and stashed foreign currencies in his Abuja home.

    The witness said the NIS was not in the position to doubt the defendant when he showed proof of his missing international passport.

    He said NIS subsequently issued him a new one, based on the strength of the affidavit declaring his old passport missing.

    Kutana, however, said the NIS was surprised to discover that the defendant was using the two passports stamped with visas simultaneously.

    When asked if the action could have been a mistake from the defendant, the witness said the action violated immigration law.

    He said it was outright illegality to have and use two standard passports with similar registration number interchangeably.

    “My Lord, the new passport was issued to Justice Ngwuta by the Nigerian Immigration Service, having been convinced that he actually lost the first one.

    “The Service replaced the lost passport because it had no cause to doubt the affidavit evidence deposed to by the defendant when he reported the loss of the document,’’ Kutana said.

    He said the defendant failed to report back to NIS when he eventually found the missing passport.”

    NAN

  • S/Court’s officer misled NIS on Justice Ngwuta’s passports – Witness

    S/Court’s officer misled NIS on Justice Ngwuta’s passports – Witness

    A senior official of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Tanko Kutana has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that his agency was misled into issuing new passports to Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court.

    Kutana, who was testifying at the resumption of Justice Ngwuta’s trial, said the judge was able to obtain two diplomatic passports, which he used interchangeably by virtue of the misinformation given NIS by a Supreme Court’s Protocol Officer, identified as Mrs L. Nwankwo.

    The witness, who was being cross-examined by Ngwuta’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) said Mrs Nwakwo, in a letter to NIS, said she was “directed” to inform the NIS that Justice Ngwuta had lost the first diplomatic passport, following which a new one was issued to the judge.

    Kutana said the claims in Mrs Nwonkwo’s letter, written on a letterhead of the Supreme Court, was later discovered to be untrue because the judge allegedly continued to use both passports.

    Justice Ngwuta is being tried on a 13-count charge,in which he is accused among others, of engaging in money laundering.

    The witness said:”The letter sent by Mrs L. Nwakwo was intended to misinform the Nigerian Immigration Service that the defendant lost the passport.

     “This is as confirmed by the subsequent conduct of the defendant by using the passport even after declaring the passport missing.”

    When asked if the alleged “misinformation” constituted an offence, Kutana answered in the affirmative but quickly added that the apex court’s protocol officer acted under instruction.

    “Under our laws, it is a serious offence. But remember she acted under instruction,” he said.

    On whether he questioned the Supreme Court’s protocol officer and how he became aware that Nwakwo acted according to instruction, Kutata said, “I never met her”, but added, “she stated in her letter sent to us that she was ‘directed’.”

    Kutana, who said he had been in the service of the NIS for 29 years, was also asked if the Immigration service would issue a new passport to an applicant “unless satisfied that the previous one was lost.

     “As of that time, it was issued we had no reason to doubt the claim of a Justice of the Supreme Court who swore an oath that his passport was lost and reported same to the police.”

    Kutana said he had seen people, who, on recovering their lost passports, returned it to the NIS.

    He said while a passport declared missing would be “cancelled” electronically, an applicant who found a missing passport would still have to present it to the Immigration service for “physical cancellation”. 

    The witness said the physical cancellation of a passport was necessary because a passport presented to a border management speaks for itself. The passport has information like the date of issuance and date of expiration.

    He added: “An immigration officer is bound by the information. That is why a passport declared missing but later found has to be physically cancelled.”

    On whether the judge’s continued usage of both passports could have been “a genuine mistake,” the witness said only the court could determine if it was a “genuine mistake.” 

    He said it could not have been a genuine mistake since the judge kept on using both the new passport and the one declared lost.

    Kutana confirmed that there were no visas endorsed on the passport after it was declared missing but said “there were departure and arrival endorsements on it.

    “A citizen of a member state of ECOWAS does not need any visa to enter such countries visited by the defendant.

    “A Nigerian does not need a visa to visit such country as South Africa, China and Morocco,” Kutana said.

    The trial judge, Justice Tsoho later adjourned the further trial to October 20.

  • Withdrawal of NIS from airport

    SIR: Travelling out of the country has always been a menace to me and other concerned Nigerians due to unnecessary harassments experienced from the officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) special reference to those manning the luggage check-in areas.

    I have had to part with some ‘perks’ for immigration officials to allow my luggage pass when I carry foodstuffs am sure are not contraband .Oftentimes, whether I carry foodstuffs or not, these beggarly NIS officials never cease to amaze and annoy me with their stylish begging – ‘madam, what do you have for us?

    I was going with that same mentality of experiencing the usual drama on my last August trip when to my surprise, no NIS officials was present as usual at the luggage check-in area. The federal government’s decision to withdraw them from that area is a welcome development and huge relief!

    But it never ends there as going through the security checks too will meet one with same stylish beggarly ordeal.

    When will the NIS officials stay content with their pay cheques and uncalled for kickbacks demanded for during passports applications? That is another jeremiad for another day.

     

    • Banke Badmus,

    Ibadan.

  • NIS pledges speedy passport issuance

    THE Nigerian Immigration Service yesterday (NIS) promised Nigerians that delays in the issuance of passports have been tackled.

    The service warned citizens to stop patronising touts, who walk around passport offices, claiming to be immigration officers.

    It advised prospective passport seekers to go online, fill the application forms and go to any passport office to follow due process.

    NIS Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Ishaku Hamad spoke to reporters during a tour of Alausa and Ikoyi passport offices in Lagos yesterday on the various steps the Service was taking to ensure that passport issuance was easy and faster.

    He said: “Recently, we have been witnessing bad reports in the midst of hard work. Our passport officers have been working hard to give services to Nigerians. Nobody comes here to see what we are doing and that makes us sometimes misunderstood.

    “We are working hard to satisfy the public and the Comptroller General has put a lot in place by posting senior officers from the headquarters to supplement the efforts of the existing passport officers on ground.  “They came with enough working materials, which would make all the cries about delays in passport issuance to be a thing of the past.”