Immigration suspends officer for soliciting bribe

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II) for allegedly soliciting financial gratification from a traveller.

NIS Comptroller General, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, said this in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Kenneth Udo, on Thursday in Abuja.

Nandap said the officer’s conduct, captured in a video circulating on the social media, did not reflect the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS.

The comptroller general condemned the officer’s alleged misconduct, saying it undermined the ongoing reforms to enhance service standards.

She assured Nigerians that the officer had been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, in accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.

Nandap said NIS received a video currently circulating on social media, titled: “This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria,” showing one of its officers soliciting financial gratification from a traveller.

“This disgraceful act is not a representation of our commitment to hospitality, reception, and courtesy.

“As a result, the officer in question has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures,” she said.

The comptroller general reiterated the commitment of the NIS to identifying and removing corrupt elements within its ranks, in line with its zero-tolerance for corruption policy.

She also assured all that the NIS would continue to strive for excellence in service delivery, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

Nandap added that electronic gates (e-gates) were being installed at all international airports to facilitate smoother travel experience for passengers and prevent incidents like the one involving the suspended officer.

She urged the public to report any form of misconduct or corruption by its officers to the appropriate authorities.