The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed as “malicious, mischievous and spurious” a report (not by News Express) on the purported sack of “9,077 officers “with immediate effect for certificates forgery.”

Service Public Relations Officer, Ekpedeme King, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja: “The Comptroller-General of Immigration Martin Kure Abeshi hereby requests officers and men as well as the general public to disregard the publication as there is no truth in it whatsoever. The CGI had at no time held any such discussion with any persons of group or persons anywhere and at anytime. This is the handiwork of dubious and mischief makers and should be regarded as such.

“As a matter of fact the whole staff strength of the NIS at the Service Headquarters, Zonal offices, Commands, Borders, Passport offices and Nigeria’s Missions abroad is barely 22,000. Enugu State Command has 318 officers and men while Abia State Command has 314. It is therefore evident that the mischief maker has no fact.

“The NIS also wishes to re-iterate that there is no recruitment exercise whatsoever going on in the Service at the moment and so members of the public should be cautious not to fall into the trap of fraudulent elements.

“The NIS shall adhere to the provisions of the Public Service Rules and Regulations and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in an open manner anytime it seeks to embark on any recruitment exercise.

“The NIS remains committed to transparent service delivery and dedicated to the performance of its statutory mandate.”

•Photo shows CGI, Martin Kure Abeshi.