Immigration launches investigation into viral passport-tearing incident at Lagos Airport
By Ukpono Ukpong
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has initiated a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media that shows a woman tearing up a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, is being treated with the utmost seriousness by the immigration authorities.
In a statement released by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, the Service confirmed that the woman in the video has been identified and has been invited for further questioning.
The video has generated considerable debate on social media platforms, with many expressing concerns about the implications of such actions on the country’s image and security.
Udo emphasised that if the allegations are proven, the woman’s actions would constitute a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended).
This section specifically addresses the destruction or mutilation of a Nigerian passport, which is considered a serious offense.
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Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended) states that any person who “willfully defaces, alters, or destroys any passport or any part thereof” is committing an offense. This section criminalizes actions that involve the deliberate damage or tampering with a Nigerian passport, which is considered a serious violation under Nigerian law.
The penalties for this offense are detailed in subsequent provisions of the Act, particularly Section 10(h), which prescribes the consequences for such illegal actions. These penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offense.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media, showing a female traveler destroying a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
“The individual has been identified and invited for further investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, her actions would have constituted a breach of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), with corresponding penalties outlined under Section 10(h) of the same Act.”
He further noted that the NIS would take all necessary steps to ensure that the law is enforced and that similar incidents are prevented in the future.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security, and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments,” Udo stated.
