NIS Indefinitely Suspends Immigration Officer for Begging Traveler at Lagos Airport

Confidence UbaniAugust 8, 20241 Mins read556

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has indefinitely suspended an officer caught on camera begging a traveller for money at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI 2) Okpravero C. Ufuoma, was unknowingly filmed using camera-enabled eyeglasses while soliciting financial assistance from a passenger.

The officer was seen following and persistently begging the traveller after asking, “What do you have for us?”

In a statement released on Wednesday, Comptroller General Kemi Nana Nandap condemned the officer’s conduct as disgraceful and unprofessional. The NIS stated that Ufuoma’s actions do not reflect the values and ethics of the service’s professionalism and undermine its commitment to hospitality, reception, and courtesy.

As a result of the incident, which was captured in a viral video circulating on social media, Ufuoma has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures by the law and Public Service Rules.

The statement read in part:

“The NIS condemns this misconduct in the strongest terms, as it undermines the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing our service standards. This disgraceful act is not representative of our commitment to hospitality, reception and courtesy. As a result, the officer has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, which are in accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.”

Immigration Officer Suspended for Begging Traveler at Lagos Airport — Statement from the Nigeria Immigration Service

To prevent similar incidents and facilitate smoother travel for passengers, the NIS said electronic gates (e-gates) are being installed at all five international airports in the country. The service has urged the public to report any misconduct or corruption by its officers to the appropriate authorities.

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