NIS boss orders dismantling of roadblocks at borders

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martin Abeshi, has directed immigration personnel to remove roadblocks at border areas.

He also warned passport officers against issuing passports to terrorists, kidnappers and other criminals.

At a meeting with senior officials, including border control and passport officials on Friday at the NIS headquarters, Abuja, Abeshi insisted on thorough screening of applicants before issuing them Nigerian passports.

He said, “You must not engage in indiscriminate issuance of passports; you know that Nigeria is battling with terrorism now, you must, therefore, screen passport applicants thoroughly before issuing applicants with passports.

“It is a security document and it must not be issued to kidnappers, terrorists and other criminals; penalty for doing this is very stiff, don’t say you have not been warned.

“I don’t also see any reason in the blocking of road by our officers, if you see any foreigner, ask him to alight from the vehicle, screen him and allow the vehicle to go, there is no need blocking the highway with wood and tyres, the police have stopped roadblock, don’t block the highway in whatever form.”

He said acts of corruption will no longer be condoned, warning that indicted personnel would face the law.