Passport: NIS advises public to report corrupt officials

Muhammad Babandede, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has advised Nigerians to report any corrupt act perpetrated by its personnel in the process of issuing passport or providing other services.

Babandede gave the advice in a statement issued by the NIS in Abuja on Thursday.

The comptroller general urged the public and media to help to fish out bad eggs in the service and their collaborators outside the service with a view to ensuring efficient service delivery.

“The Comptroller General wishes to call on well meaning Nigerians and indeed the press to assist by availing the Service with specific information on any personnel or any person outside the Service associated with act capable of putting Nigerians into hardship in an effort to acquire passport or any other immigration facilities‎ including clearance at our ports of entry,’’ James said.‎

He said that officers and men of the service could be identified by their name tags and badges of rank.

Babandede said that his attention had been drawn to media publications alleging untoward conducts by some officers and men of the service, especially as regards issuance of passport.

He said that this measure was ‎ part of ongoing reforms to entrench transparency, accountability and high level of professionalism in the operations of the NIS at all service points.

Babandede said the service had inaugurated a “Contact Centre’’ to take care of enquiries and complaints on +2347080607900 and email at [email protected].

“The general public is therefore advised to take advantage of our feedback mechanisms for all their complaints,’’ he said.

Recall that the comptroller general had ordered investigation and sanction of some officials allegedly involved in unprofessional conducts as part of plans to sanitise the system.