The Comptroller General (CG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),
Muhammad Babandede, on Friday raised the alarm that some officers are
still collecting bribes on passport issuance.
Babandede, who disclosed this in Abuja during the official decoration
of 48 senior officers promoted to the rank of Comptrollers of
Immigration, warned officers to shun corrupt practices, adding that
anyone caught in the act would be sanctioned.
He warned against officers using their uniforms and arms to molest anybody.
Babandede congratulated the promoted officers and urged them to
exhibit a high sense of professionalism and commitment to duty in line
with the mandate of the service, especially in furtherance of the
Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business.
The immigration boss, who expressed sadness over the development,
said: “I will not promote an officer who has been found collecting
bribe? It is not a right for everybody to be promoted.
“We still have challenges. Officers are still taking bribes on
passport issuance. If an officer collects money to get a job for
someone, we will dismiss the officer.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has always insisted that we must do our
work very well and shun corruption. We must respect human rights. Do
not use the uniforms and guns given to you by the government to molest
anybody.
“The elevation of all of you to the rank of Comptroller of Immigration
Service is a mark of your dedication and loyalty to the service. It
equally comes with a lot of responsibility. “Therefore, I want to task
you to redouble your efforts to ensure that the statutory
responsibilities of the service are achieved and geared towards
securing Nigeria against the current myriad of security challenges. We
are putting everything in place to ensure that the service makes a
very positive impact on the security matrix of the country as well as
providing enabling environment for trade and tourism.”
On the ongoing technology building, Babandede said: “Julius Berger has
done well for the technology building. When completed next year June,
we shall effectively monitor mobility of our borders. Our
responsibility is to ensure that Nigeria is safer.”
3,413 senior officers of the service between the ranks of Comptroller
and Senior Inspector of Immigration were promoted. (The Nation)
