Crimes

Immigration seizes 6,216 PVCs, National ID cards from foreigners

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has seized a total of 6,216 National Identity and Voter Cards from some migrants in 21 border states across the country.

The Controller General of NIS (CGI), Isa Jere, said this on Wednesday, February 8, at a retreat for top management staff of the Service, in Abuja.

Jere said that 3,823 National Identity cards and 2,393 voter cards unlawfully possessed by migrants were confiscated.

He said that the vital documents were intercepted in Nasarawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Yobe, Kwara, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Zamfara, Jigawa, Edo, Bauchi, Niger, and three other states.

Comptroller-General (CG) of Immigration, Isah Idris Jere

Jere said that the cards were seized in ongoing operations to ensure that migrants from neighbouring countries did not participate in the forthcoming general elections.

The CGI warned that stiff sanctions await any migrant who attempted to participate in the nation’s electoral process.

He said that the arrested culprits had since been returned to their countries in line with ECOWAS Protocol on free movement.

The CGI tasked all immigration personnel to regard the February 25 and March 11, 2023 elections as an opportunity to showcase their proficiency in border management and intelligence gathering.

READ ALSO: Naira scarcity: Bank workers threaten closure over attacks

He warned that those caught compromising their duties would be treated as saboteurs and dealt with in accordance with the law.

Jere said the 2022 Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution had placed legal burden on all stakeholders in the electoral process, especially the NIS.

“This is why we resolved to hold Comptrollers responsible for any failure recorded by their men,” he said.

He therefore charged heads of commands and formations across the country to upscale surveillance of all locations, including border crossings.

He directed Divisional Immigration Officers across 774 local government areas to deepen surveillance and engagements with migrant communities to ensure that no migrant gets involved in the elections.

The Star

Editor

Recent Posts

Tinubu fulfils Birnin Gwari road promise — Uba Sani

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has commended President Bola Tinubu for fulfilling his campaign promise…

6 hours ago

Zenith Bank confirms cyberattack, says limited customer data compromised

Zenith Bank has confirmed that hackers breached its database, resulting in the compromise of limited…

7 hours ago

Tinubu unveils Africa’s first Renewable Energy College

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is poised to lead Africa's renewable energy revolution…

7 hours ago

I’m CR7’s die-hard fan — Davido

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that he is a devoted…

8 hours ago

Nigeria to spend N924bn on Army, Navy, Air Force personnel’s salary

The Federal Government of Nigeria is to spend N924 billion yearly as salary bill for…

8 hours ago

Lagos govt empowers 40,000 residents with business tools to boost SMEs

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said his administration has empowered about 40,000 residents…

8 hours ago

This website uses cookies.