Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said 60 personnels have so far been sacked after they were caught receiving or giving bribes.
The Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, who disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, October 10, stated that he once disguised as a cleaner in order to catch corrupt officials.
Babandede expressed that the affected officials were sacked in the last four years following complaints ”with evidence” before the Immigration Service and subsequently through the Ministry of Interior.
He stressed;
It’s about four years now that we stopped the corrupt practice in the service via bribes to influence posting as it was done previously in the country. Under the board of Ministry of Interior, we have dismissed 60 personnel caught for bribery and corruption in the airports and borders.
Babandede noted;
There are corrupt officials even within the senior cadre. However, it’s our responsibilities as leaders to stop the practice especially of giving bribes to officers to influence posting to airports and borders. We have also discouraged the culture of those working in choice areas giving out returns to their superiors. Anyone caught should have himself blame.
The Comptroller speaking further said;
The Immigration Service is committed to fighting corruption. I disguised as a cleaner in the airport and border and caught an official receiving bribe. We cannot do it alone especially now that the border and the airports are being secure by other sister security agencies.
He, however, said any evidence provided against any officer involved in fraud must be fool-proof.
Babandede expressed;
When reporting a corruption incident, the complainants have to provide evidence before the Immigration Service beyond doubt for further action otherwise any action taken against the accused person would be voided later.
Good move by the NIS.