Immigration withdraws erring staff from Lagos airport, probes ‘ill-treatment’ of passenger

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris has ordered an investigation into the recent ill-treatment allegedly meted on a Dubai-bound Nigerian citizen during passenger clearance at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The incident reportedly happened three weeks ago as the passenger took to social media alleging sharp practices by some Nigeria Immigration personnel at the Lagos airport.

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The CGI however ordered the withdrawal of the entire staff on duty at the time of the incident even as he vowed to sanction any staff found involved in the incident.

Daily Trust reports that the NIS had followed up on a thread on the Twitter handle of the passenger identified as @darbyy___l who narrated her ill-treatment and extortion by some officers.

The NIS had on Sunday responded to the tweet by the complainant through its verified handle @nigimmigration.

“The Service is in receipt of an alleged unsavory experience by @darbyy___l at the Lagos Airport. We take exception to the conduct of the personnel mentioned in that thread. Consequently, the Comptroller General, Isah Jere Idris has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.”

“He assures that stiff sanctions await any personnel proven to have been involved in such unprofessional conduct. The public shall be notified of the outcome of the investigation in due course.” The tweet read.

A statement yesterday by Kenneth Kure,  Chief Superintendent of Immigration, Public Relations Department for the CGI read, “The Comptroller General wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate his administration’s zero tolerance for sharp practices and that such would be met with stiff sanctions to any staff found involved.

“The CGI hereby encourages members of the public to feel free to contact the Service through its various public communication channels, including Twitter and Facebook handles @nigimmigration to lay complaints and report any misdemeanour by any member of staff for appropriate sanctions.”