Immigration suspends Lagos-Seme border commanders over alleged extortion

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended Comptrollers in charge of commands along the Lagos-Seme border corridor following allegations of extortion involving its personnel.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, ordered the suspension after the Service received reports of misconduct bordering on extortion at the border posts.

The Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, in a statement issued on Friday, April 10, 2026, quoted Nandap as condemning the alleged actions, describing them as unacceptable and a direct violation of the Service’s core values, ethics, and operational standards.

Akinlabi added that the affected Comptrollers have been temporarily relieved of their duties pending the outcome of a thorough investigation aimed at identifying all officers involved and ensuring that appropriate disciplinary measures are applied with immediate effect.

Akinlabi stated: “Consequently, the CGI has temporarily relieved the Comptrollers in charge of the affected Commands of their duties and has directed a thorough investigation surrounding these incidents, in order to identify all officers involved, and ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are applied with immediate effect.

Securing Nigeria’s borderlands with lawful force

“The Service wishes to reassure the general public that it remains committed to delivering professional, transparent, and efficient services at all points of entry and exit. It will not condone any act that undermines public trust or tarnishes the integrity of the Service.

“To this end, members of the public are encouraged to continue to report any form of misconduct through the Service official social media channels.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains resolute in its mission to serve with integrity, discipline, and professionalism while facilitating lawful migration.”

The Lagos-Seme corridor, which links Nigeria to the Republic of Benin at the Seme land border in Lagos State, is one of the busiest and most strategically significant entry and exit points in West Africa.

The route handles heavy volumes of commercial goods, cross-border traders, and travellers, and has long been a pressure point for complaints of harassment and extortion by border officials.