Reshuffling Looms In NIS, As CG Accuses Officers Of Collecting Bribe

The Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, may have perfected plans for mass movement of officers, particularly those at the land borders to tackle what he termed collection of bribes and extortion by the officers.

Babandede, while addressing NIS personnel at the Katsina Command Monday, said some of the personnel have been at their duty post for “donkey years” and were collecting bribes from citizens at their various checkpoints.

The NIS comptroller general explained that he has received reports at different checkpoints in the country, where most of the personnel were seen collecting bribes, insisting that NIS under his watch cannot compromise standards “because once you compromise, you have compromised security of the country”.

He said: “Some of you have been at your duty post for donkey years; that is why you collect bribes. You will be shifted. If I touch you and you go and talk to a traditional ruler, you will only be getting yourself into traditional crisis.

“If I touch you and you go and talk to a honorable member, it will only lead to your honourable dismissal and if I touch you and you go and report to a distinguished senator, you will be distinguished out of service.”

He added: “Most of you know where the migrants are and you go to them to collect money. Enough is enough. We cannot allow our country to go down because of some useless forces. Your allegiance is to secure the country.

“Our job is to secure the country’s borders — land, sea and air. Our problem is with land borders and things must change. There will not be any compromise again. We have taken care of your promotion and welfare and we expect you to work without compromise.”

Babandede noted that he would work with traditional rulers to fish out those officers collecting bribes at checkpoints and ensure proper monitoring of NIS personnel at border towns, saying anyone found wanting would be dismissed.