THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has  arrested a Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) officer, Adebimpe Kehinde, an Immigration Assistant over alleged involvement in passport racketeering.

A statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the acting Head of Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade said its Lagos Zonal office arrested Kehinde  alongside 14 other suspected passport racketeers on Thursday,  at the Immigration Service Passport office, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Their arrest, Orilade explained followed intelligence reports received by the Commission leading to series of surveillance about their alleged criminal activities.

The suspects are: Nnadika Timothy, Oyeyiga Samuel, Sunday Adekunle, Lola Kadoso, Adebayo Damilola, Adeola Oluwafikayomi Ajiboshin, Abubakri Adebayo.

Others are: Uka Precious Ifeanyi, Raph Emeka Ibuaku, Henry Onyebuchi, Christy Odey, Aba-Peter Ajuma Blessing,Ogunmefun Oluwanishola and Busayo Balogun.

The statement said the suspects allegedly conspired to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public applying for international passports.

Five laptops, mobile phones and several official documents were recovered from them by EFCC officials.

Otilade said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.