The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that it is prosecuting about 80 officers for one form of passport racketeering or the other. The Public Relations Officer, Comptroller of Immigration, Mr Tony Akuneme, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. He disclosed that eight other officers had already been dismissed from service for similar offences over the last year. These measures are part of the reforms initiated by the present NIS Comptroller General, Isah Jere, which includes tightening border security, improving the welfare of NIS officers and reforming passport issuance.
Akuneme further explained that this new reform intends to eliminate third-party agents and obstruct misdemeanours associated with these third parties. This means applicants can process their applications from the comfort of their homes on their laptops, phones and make payments on the official website without having to involve third party agents otherwise referred to as touts.
“The problem we have is the use of third parties because no matter how much reform you put in, you will always see a learned and civilised person using a third party to process his or her application,” Akuneme said.
The spokesman emphasised that the full implementation of this reform was part of the CG’s agenda, and he had pledged to discipline officers who undermine the reform process. The NIS has promised to punish any officer or personnel caught extorting money from applicants or charging illegal fees for passport issuance or renewal.
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