The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has taken swift action against one of its officers caught on camera soliciting money from a traveler at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II, Okpravero C. Ufuoma, has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation, the service announced on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
A viral video captured the officer soliciting for bribe while on duty, a development that sparked outrage on social media. The NIS, in a statement signed by Comptroller General Kemi Nana Nandap, condemned the officer’s behavior as “disgraceful” and a direct contradiction of its ongoing reforms aimed at improving service delivery and integrity.
“We wish to inform the public that the conduct of the officer, identified as Okpravero C. Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI 2) at Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, does not reflect the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS.
“The NIS condemns this misconduct in the strongest terms, as it undermines the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing our service standards. This disgraceful act is not representative of our commitment to hospitality, reception and courtesy,” the statement read in part.
It added, “As a result, the officer has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, which are in the accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.”
To prevent similar occurrences and streamline passenger processing, the NIS revealed plans to install electronic gates (e-gates) at all five international airports across the country.
