THE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended one Okpravero Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II), who was caught on camera soliciting a bribe from a traveller.
Reacting to the incident, which has generated reactions on social media, in a statement, the NIS’ Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, said the officer’s unprofessional conduct did not reflect the organisation’s values and ethics.
The statement containing the suspension was issued by the NIS’ public relations officer, Kenneth Udo, on Thursday, August 8, in Abuja.
The video, captioned “This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria,” and currently going viral, shows the officer demanding money from a traveler at an undisclosed location.
“The immigration officer was observed asking the tourist, ‘What do you have for me?’ When the traveler asked, ‘Money?’ the officer replied, ‘Anything.’
Even when the traveler said he had no cash, the officer insisted that the tourist bless him with something from his card.
Following widespread condemnation and public pressure, the NIS announced the officer’s suspension pending a full investigation into the matter.
While expressing regrets over the conduct of the officer, Nandap said the Service had a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and that any officer found guilty of such conduct would face severe disciplinary action.
“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 reaffirmed the NIS’s dedication to rooting out corrupt elements within the NIS.
She further assured that the NIS would continue to strive for excellence in service delivery, in alignment with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Federal Government.
The NIS also urged the public to continue to report cases of misconduct by immigration officers to ensure transparency and accountability within the service.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M