By Peter Omopo
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended senior officers overseeing key commands along the Lagos-Seme border corridor following allegations of extortion involving personnel at the busy route.
The suspension comes in response to viral online reports accusing immigration officials of misconduct, prompting swift action from the agency’s leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, said the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, had directed the immediate relief of the affected comptrollers from their duties pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
Nandap condemned the alleged actions, describing them as unacceptable and a clear violation of the service’s core values, ethics, and operational standards.
According to the statement, a comprehensive probe has been launched to determine the extent of the alleged misconduct, identify those involved, and ensure appropriate disciplinary measures are enforced without delay.
“The investigation will be thorough, ensuring that all officers found culpable are sanctioned promptly,” the statement said.
While the investigation is ongoing, the NIS reassured the public of its commitment to professionalism and transparency in its operations across all entry and exit points in the country.
The agency reiterated that it would not tolerate any act capable of undermining public trust or damaging its institutional integrity.
It also urged members of the public to report cases of misconduct through its official complaint channels, including social media platforms and its 24-hour contact centre, noting that internal oversight mechanisms are being strengthened.
The Lagos-Seme border corridor remains one of the busiest and most strategic international routes in West Africa, handling significant volumes of trade and passenger movement between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
