TheNewsGuru

Tag: NIS

  • FG hikes fees for ‘international’ passport

    FG hikes fees for ‘international’ passport

    The Federal Government has approved an upward review of the Passport fees as part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport effective.

    This is contained in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Mr Kenneth Udo on Wednesday in Abuja. According to the statement, the new charges take effect from September 1.

    “Based on the review, 32-page passport booklet with five year validity previously charged at N35,000 would now be N50,000 only. The 64-page Passport booklet with 10 year validity which was N70,000 would be N100,000 only,” the statement reads.

    However, the statement said the fees remain unchanged in Diaspora.

    “The Service regrets any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants. The service assures Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times,” the statement added.

  • NIS suspends officer for soliciting bribe

    NIS suspends officer for soliciting bribe

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended (*Okpravero Ufuoma*), an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II) for  allegedly soliciting financial gratification from a traveller.

    NIS’s Comptroller General, Mrs Kemi Nandap, made this known in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Kenneth Udo on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to Nandap, the officer’s conduct, captured in a video circulating on social media, does not reflect the values and ethics of professionalism upheld by the NIS.

    She condemned the alleged misconduct in the strongest terms, saying that it undermined the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing service standards.

    She, however, assured that the officer had been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures, in accordance with the law and Public Service Rules.

    She said NIS received a video currently circulating on social media titled “This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria,” showing one of its officers soliciting financial gratification from a traveller.

    “This disgraceful act is not a representation of our commitment to hospitality, reception, and courtesy.

    “As a result, the officer in question has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures,” she said.

    The NIS boss reiterated the NIS’s commitment to identifying and removing corrupt elements within its ranks, in line with its zero-tolerance for corruption policy.

    The comptroller general also assured that the NIS would continue to strive for excellence in service delivery, in alignment with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Federal Government.

    Nandap added that electronic gates (e-gates) were being installed at all international airports to facilitate smoother travel for passengers, and prevent incidents like the one involving the suspended officer.

    She urged the public to report any form of misconduct or corruption by its officers to the appropriate authorities.

  • FG blocks accounts of #EndBadGovernance sponsors, places them on watchlist

    FG blocks accounts of #EndBadGovernance sponsors, places them on watchlist

    Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) have placed sponsors of nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest on its watchlist.

    This disclosed by Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nandap at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday.

    According to her, the sponsors are in the diaspora and would be arrested immediately they step their legs on Nigerian soil.

    She spoke shortly after a strategic meeting convened by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

    Yesterday, Defence Chief and other heads of intelligence agencies as well as other heads of para-military agencies were in a closed-door with a view to implementing the crackdown order given by President Bola Tinubu.

    Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Nandap said, “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to appropriate authority.”

    The Immigration boss said the Service has in response to the protest deployed more officers to borders both land and airports to ensure effective manning of those entry and exit points.

    According to her, the Service has also stepped-up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

    On his part, the Director-General Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, said the agency had uncovered some sponsors but declined giving further information.

    The secret police boss, who was represented at the meeting by the DSS’ spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said some bank accounts had already been blocked.

    Afunanya said some of the persons operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they were being monitored.

     

  • Protests: FG places sponsors in diaspora on watch list

    Protests: FG places sponsors in diaspora on watch list

    Sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance protest based in diaspora have been placed on a watch list and they will be arrested when entering the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap said this on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nandap said this during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs convened by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa at the Defence Headquarters.

    “We have identified some diaspora sponsors, they are on our watch list. Any attempt they make to come into the country, we will be notified and they will be picked up and handed to appropriate authority,” she said.

    The immigration boss said the service had, in response to the protest, deployed more officers to borders both land and airports to ensure effective manning of those entry ports.

    She said that NIS had also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, also said that the police had uncovered some sponsors but declined giving further information on them.

    Egbetokun said that some accounts of such individuals had been blocked, adding that “many of them reside abroad”.

    Also, the Director General, Department of State Services, Mr Yusuf Bichi, represented by the service’s spokesman, Mr Peter Afunanya, said that the service was monitoring those concerned.

    He added that the service was also working with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to identify more persons behind the funding of the protest.

    The defence chief led the service chiefs and heads of all the security, intelligence and paramilitary agencies to brief newsmen on the nationwide protest.

    The briefing came a day after President Bola Tinubu met with the security chiefs on the security situation following the violence that broke out during the protests across the country.

  • Planned protest: FG orders tightened security at borders

    Planned protest: FG orders tightened security at borders

    The Federal Government has ordered tightened security at the border owing to the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1.

    In a statement, the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) KT Udo said the Comptroller General of the agency gave the directive.

    “The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, KN Nandap pcc, mmis, fsm, has directed Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers and Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOS) of the Service across the country to be extra vigilant and step up surveillance in view of the planned nationwide protest by some groups,” the Saturday statement read.

    “The Comptroller General further directed all Comptrollers of Border Commands to ensure that all border officers work assiduously to prevent unscrupulous foreign elements from entering the country for any sinister motive.”

    It reminded officers to “display utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties”.

     

  • Board disowns recruitment into Immigration service

    Board disowns recruitment into Immigration service

    The Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration services board (CDCFIB), has disowned an online publication on recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary of the board, Ja’afaru Ahmed, on Monday in Anuja.

    Ahmed stated that the board was only currently carrying out recruitment in the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and not with NIS as claimed by the online publication.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to inform the general public that the board is currently carrying out a recruitment process in the FFS only.

    “It will commence the next stage of the exercise in August and will conclude same before the end of September,” he said.

  • Immigration raises alarm over circulating fake employment letters

    Immigration raises alarm over circulating fake employment letters

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday drew the attention of Nigerians to fake and invalid employment letters in circulation purportedly issued by the service.

    The NIS made this known in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, in Abuja.

    Udo warned desperate job seekers to exercise caution so as not to fall victim to the fraudsters.

    According to him, the fraudulent letters falsely claim that the recipients have been offered employment with the NIS.

    He said “the Service categorically denies any involvement in this fraudulent scheme and refutes the misinformation being spread on social media platforms regarding an ongoing recruitment/replacement exercise.

    “The NIS shall continue to ensure that any unscrupulous elements engaging in this criminality will be made to face the wrath of the law.

    “The public is hereby advised to report these scammers to the nearest NIS office or law enforcement agencies.

    “The Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise is exclusively advertised through reputable national dailies, television broadcasts, and our official website, http://www.immigration.gov.ng.

    Udo said that the Service was resolutely committed to safeguarding the interest of Nigerians and upholding the integrity of its recruitment processes.

  • NIS tells applicants what to do when applying for passport

    NIS tells applicants what to do when applying for passport

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has advised applicants to always provide verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling their online passport application forms.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap gave the advice in a statement released on Friday by the Service Public Relations Service, Mr Kenneth Udo in Abuja.

    Nandap in the statement stressed that providing verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling the online passport application forms will make for for easy contact of applicants when their passports are ready.

    Revealing that 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide, the CG appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced to go for pick-up at the various Passports Issuing Centres across the country.

    Nandap lamented that efforts being made at reaching out to the owners had proved abortive.

    “Applicants are therefore strongly advised to always provide verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling their online passport application forms for easy contact, “she said.

    The NIS CG directed that all Passport Offices in Lagos should operate on Saturdays between 9am – 2pm. This, she said would enable officials attend to applicants coming for the collection of their produced passports only.

    “Therefore, those concerned are hereby informed to take advantage of this opportunity. For further enquiries, complaints or feedbacks, the Service can be reached through the following channels:

    “Twitter: @nigimmigration, Instagram: @nigimmigration, Official Website: http://www.immigration.gov.ng, Contact centre: 09121900655;09121556359;09121477092,” she said.

  • Immigration places ex-Gov Yahaya Bello on watchlist

    Immigration places ex-Gov Yahaya Bello on watchlist

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on its watchlist.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is coming after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared the former Governor wanted on Thursday over alleged money laundering.

    The EFCC had made an unsuccessful attempt to arrest former Governor Bello at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.

    In an internal circular sighted by our correspondent, which has the name and passport number (B50083321) of the former Governor, the NIS directed all its zonal headquarters and Commands to arrest him if seen.

    The circular, dated April 18, 2024 was signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap.

    “I am directed to request you to place the above named subject on watch list.

    “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/ TE/Vide/1/279 dated April 18, 2024.

    “If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action,” the circular reads.

  • NIS warns against fake recruitment adverts

    NIS warns against fake recruitment adverts

    The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has alerted Nigerians not to fall prey to fake recruitment advertisements being circulated by unscrupulous persons on the social media.

    Kemi Nandap, the NIS Comptroller General, issued the alert in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Kenneth Udo, on Thursday in Abuja.

    She said the fraudsters were targeting unsuspecting Nigerians, thus posing significant threat to their financial and personal security.

    “The service vehemently dissociates itself from these illegitimate recruitment activities and urges the public to exercise caution.

    “There is currently no ongoing recruitment process within the service. Any claims suggesting otherwise are false and should be disregarded.

    “The authentic NIS recruitment exercises are exclusively advertised through reputable national dailies, television broadcasts, and our official website: http://www.immigration.gov.ng.

    “Importantly, participation in these legitimate processes is entirely free of charge,” she said.

    The CG, therefore, urged the general public to remain vigilant and refrain from falling prey to the recruitment fraudsters.

    “Any suspected instances of fraud should be promptly reported to the Nigeria Immigration Service through the following official channels:

    “Twitter: @nigimmigration Facebook: @nigimmigration Official Website: http://www.immigration.gov.ng Contact centre number: 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092.

    “The NIS remains committed to safeguarding the interests of Nigerians and maintaining the integrity of its recruitment processes.

    “We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.”