The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an inquiry into the actions of Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) and its personnel in connection with ongoing passport racketeering and visa scams, according to Daily Trust.
It was revealed that the anti-graft agency’s operatives have already been deployed to several immigration offices in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Anambra, and other states, as well as airports, for discreet operations.
The development continues despite attempts made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to automate passport applications, which began on January 8, 2024.
Speaking with our TVC news on Wednesday, anti-graft agency officials stated that they had been requested to investigate the case because corruption has refused to leave the agency, inflicting Nigeria “reputational damage”.
Confirming the incident, the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, stated that corruption in NIS is so widespread that the anti-graft agency had to establish a “Immigration Fraud Section” in certain of its commands throughout the country.
