The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola, has cautioned Nigerian passport applicants in the UK to be wary of middlemen promising to procure passports for them.
During an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London, Ishola advised Nigerians to deal directly with the Nigerian High Commission in London or the Consulate-General in Manchester if they need passport services.
The High Commissioner emphasized that middlemen who promise quick and easy passport procurement often engage in fraudulent activities, such as charging exorbitant amounts for passport application forms or issuing fake passport stickers.
Ishola encouraged Nigerians to use the newly-introduced online passport application system to eliminate the need for middlemen, adding that the new system is efficient and cost-effective.
He also disclosed that the Nigerian Immigration Service has deployed additional personnel to the High Commission and Consulate-General in the UK to ease the backlog of passport applications and ensure timely issuance of passports to eligible Nigerians.
The High Commissioner urged Nigerians in the UK to conduct themselves in a law-abiding manner and avoid acts that could tarnish the image of the country.
He assured them that the Nigerian High Commission in London and the Consulate-General in Manchester are committed to providing efficient and quality consular services to Nigerians living in the UK.
In conclusion, Ishola urged Nigerians to take advantage of the passport services offered by the High Commission and Consulate-General and avoid dealing with middlemen who may cause more harm than good.
