Immigration Restricts 11,000 Nigerians From Travelling

Nigeria Immigration Service has said it restrained 11,000 Nigerians from travelling out of the country in the last three months on suspicion of criminal motives.
Besides, the NIS stopped 10,000 immigrants from entering the country within the period.

However, about 519,000 immigrants came into the country in the last one month.

Acting Comptroller-General of Immigration, Rilwanu Musa, said this while speaking with reporters in Abuja on Thursday.


Musa said, "About 11,000 Nigerians have been refused departure from the country on suspicions that they are going out to tarnish the image of the country and 10,000 persons were refused entry into the country in the last three months, while 519,000 people entered Nigeria in one month."

Musa, who promised to improve service delivery in the service, said his administration would not condone indiscipline and indolence.

For instance, he noted that a senior NIS officer caught recently with 50-passport booklets faced dismissal from the service, especially with the recommendation by the panel that tried him.

The unnamed officer is currently on suspension.

The CGI said the service had arrested other accomplices of the indicted officer, adding that they would face disciplinary action.

Musa, who manned the gate to the NIS headquarters where he caught over 50 members of staff that came late for duty, told them that he would not condone truancy and indiscipline in the service.

According to him, anyone caught reporting late to the duty would leave the service to pave the way for serious-minded people.

Calling on his officers to be more committed to their responsibilities, the CGI warned that he would no longer want to see passport applicants on long queues in their offices.

He said, "Let me warn that by 8am, I will be at the gate; if you like, come late. Some come to look for money here, but there is no room for that here. It is a shame to the service that an officer was caught with 50 stolen passport booklets. What will he do with them? If you do not discipline yourself, I will discipline you."