Immigration Comptroller orders probe of alleged misconduct at passport offices
The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, has ordered investigation into complaints of misconduct leveled against some of its personnel in some passport offices across the nation.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Adedotun Aridegbe, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, said in a statement on Saturday, that Adepoju received with deep concern, some complaints of misconduct leveled against its personnel in some Passport offices across the nation, “especially in regards to the noncompliance with Ministerial directives on the timeline of Passport administration.”
Aridegbe noted that following the complete clearance of passport application backlogs nationwide in line with the directive of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a new timeline of two weeks for processing and issuance of passport was announced by the Minister on October 4, 2023.
He noted that the Minister and the Acting Comptroller have provided different phone numbers to the general public to report misdemeanors by NIS personnel at any of its offices.
“From NIS we gave two numbers: 08028320751 (SPRO), 08067761196 (SA – SERVICOM), and we are not only ready to answer your calls but resolve issues. The Service has, on a daily basis, monitored the compliance level at all passport offices nationwide and at our missions abroad. We receive daily reports on production and issuance of passports from all Passport Control Officers,” the Service PRO said.
He added that as of Friday, October 13, 2023, most of the NIS passport offices were producing passports of applicants enrolled on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
“The Service wishes to use this opportunity to enlighten the general public that applications for reissuance of lost passports and change of data take a longer time. Some applicants in this category may put the Service in bad light when they complain of delay and noncompliance with the new timeline. These applications are required to go through security clearance and correspondence with Service Headquarters before approval for production.
“Meanwhile, the Acting Comptroller General wishes to appeal to members of the public to feel free to contact the Service through its various public communication channels including Twitter, Facebook handles (@nigimmigration) and our Contact Center on: 09121900655; 09121556359; 09121477092 to report any form of misconduct by any member of the workforce for appropriate sanctions.
“The Service enjoins prospective passport applicants to please visit the Nigeria Immigration Service’s official website at immigration.gov.ng to apply for passports and make payments for their preferred passport categories and avoid patronizing individuals or entities that request cash payments for passport services,” Aridegbe explained.
