The Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a probe into an incident involving the destruction of a Nigerian passport at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
This was contained in a statement released on Sunday by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media, showing a female traveler destroying a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos,” the statement read.
The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has sparked concern among the public.
It showed a female traveller, identified as Mrs. Igiebor, tearing her husband’s Nigerian Standard Passport shortly after they arrived at the Lagos Airport on Saturday, August 10, 2024.
In the footage, an agitated Igiebor, when questioned about her actions, retorted, “Is it your passport?”
The NIS noted that her actions could be a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), which prohibits the willful destruction of Nigerian travel documents.
The act outlines specific penalties for such offenses.
The statement further emphasised the service’s dedication to enforcing the Immigration Act strictly, to safeguard national security and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s legal and diplomatic instruments.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains unwavering in its commitment to upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security, and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments,” it added.
Officials of the Immigration Service acted very unprofessionally, judging from the video footage. One wonders if they are knowledgeable about the law regarding the handling of the Nigerian passport. Shouldn’t the suspect have been arrested on the spot and compelled to at least make a statement upon which a case would be instituted against her for that action?