Two officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have been barred from Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The two immigration officials whose On-Duty Card (ODC) were withdrawn, were accused of extorting a 14-year-old girl traveling on Lufthansa Airline of N8,000 on February 19.

Ag. General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze said the allegation were found to be true after a team of FAAN Aviation Security officers were commissioned to investigate the allegation.

The officers involved were identified with the help of footage on the CCTV facility, and cooperation from the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Ivbaze said; 

“Consequently, the officers were made to refund the exact amount collected from the passenger.

“Their On Duty Cards were also withdrawn permanently, and they have been banned from working in any Nigerian airport, to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We would like to commend the mother of the child, who has confirmed receipt of the money, for deeming it fit to escalate the case, and assisting us tremendously in the course of our investigation.

“Also, we would like to express our appreciation to the Comptroller of Immigration, MMA and her team for her cooperation and support in addressing this issue.

“The Authority will continue to identify and sanction any airport official (including FAAN officials) found to be extorting passengers or perpetuating any act of illegality at our airports.”