Nigerian immigration authorities have recently faced allegations of corruption and racketeering in relation to obtaining international passports. According to the Public Relations Department, Customs Deputy Accountant, Adedotun Aridegbe, passport control officers in the region have reportedly demanded additional fees on top of the official fees for obtaining passports.
Faced with these accusations, Aridegbe said in a statement that any officer found guilty of these practices would be severely sanctioned, as the service does not accept any form of misconduct.
In order to eliminate these bad elements, an immediate investigation has been ordered and anyone found guilty will be punished. Both the head of the immigration service and the interior minister have given directives for the investigation to continue.
Aridegbe stressed that the guidelines for applying for an international passport are clearly stated on the Immigration Service website. In addition, contact numbers have been made available for all citizens to be able to report any problems or ask questions.
However, Aridegbe also pointed out that the problem lies in the fact that many Nigerians prefer to look for shortcuts and thus find themselves victims of ill-intentioned individuals. It is important to remind everyone that each immigration office is there to serve and help citizens.
In conclusion, the Nigerian Immigration Service takes these allegations very seriously and is committed to fighting corruption and racketeering. It is essential to educate citizens on the legal procedures for obtaining a passport to protect them from fraudulent practices.