TheCable

Muhammed Babandede, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has warned officers of the agency to desist from receiving bribes or face severe sanctions.

Speaking on Monday during a visit to the Katsina command of the agency, the immigration boss said he had received reports of officers involved in corrupt practices.

He said such actions compromise the security of the country.

While noting that he would redeploy officers from Katsina, he said the NIS will work with traditional rulers to identify non-residents living in the state as part of efforts to address insecurity.

“We are tired of insecurity in the country, and I am here in Katsina to work with the traditional rulers to detect people who are not citizens of Nigeria when entering Nigeria and when staying in Nigeria,” he said.

“But I cannot work without having a disciplined force. We cannot do that when you collect money at the border. We cannot do that when you stop at checkpoints and take tax from the people. It is not going to work.

“This country cannot progress when we take corruption as an issue in our life. Unless we remove it, we will not get success, and I don’t see a disciplined force in you. So, I’m going to scatter Katsina. I think some of you have stayed for a long time, that’s why we are having these problems.

“I have received reports of several checkpoints where you collect money, I don’t know who you give the money to. I don’t see the money in Abuja. I want to find out if the money is going to the zonal coordinator or to the comptrollers.

“If there is anybody tasking you, let him know we cannot compromise, because once you collect money at the checkpoints, you have compromised security, and anything can pass. In short, you will not even check anything. I’m going to work with the traditional institutions today to engage them to help us detect any person (irregular). When they detect it, you can collect bribe and you will see the consequences.

“Most of you know where the migrants are. You will just go and collect from them. Enough is enough. We cannot allow our country to go down because of useless forces. If law enforcement continues to collect bribe to compromise work, this country will be compromised.”