By Uzair Adam
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has initiated an investigation into a viral video showing a woman tearing up a Nigerian Standard Passport at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
According to NIS spokesperson Kenneth Udo, the individual involved has been identified and called in for further investigation.
The video, widely shared on social media, shows a woman, identified as Mrs Igiebor, ripping her husband’s Nigerian passport shortly after their arrival at the Lagos Airport on Saturday, August 10, 2024. When confronted about her actions, Mrs. Igiebor responded, “Is it your passport?”
The NIS noted that the incident could be a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), which prohibits the willful destruction of Nigerian travel documents.
The act specifies penalties for such offences, and if the allegations are proven, the individual’s actions will breach these provisions.
The corresponding penalties are detailed under Section 10(h) of the same Act, which includes a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine.
Kenneth Udo emphasised the Service’s dedication to enforcing the Immigration Act to protect national security and uphold the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments.