Immigration Board Sacks, Demotes Officers Over Misconduct, Criminal Offences

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has approved sweeping disciplinary actions against 31 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for offences ranging from gross misconduct to criminal conspiracy.

The decision followed a review of recommendations by the Board’s Disciplinary and General Purpose Committee (BDGPC), which convened on July 11, 2025, to examine multiple disciplinary cases.

In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Akinsola Akinlabi, said the measures reflect the board’s renewed commitment to enforcing accountability and professionalism across the services under its supervision.

“Eight officers were dismissed for serious misconduct and violation of Service Regulations, while five others were compulsorily retired for offences bordering on misconduct,” Akinlabi said.

He added that eight officers were demoted by one rank, while five received formal warning letters.

According to him, the board also reviewed appeals from two dismissed officers but upheld their dismissal after finding no merit in their petitions. One officer, however, was reinstated after a successful appeal, while two others were fully exonerated.

Akinlabi further disclosed that two junior personnel were dismissed after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy involving theft, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.

“Their dismissal followed internal disciplinary proceedings concluded on April 14 and September 4, 2025, respectively,” he stated.

The disciplinary decisions, he explained, were approved under the supervision of the CDCFIB Chairman and Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap.

Reaffirming the NIS’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and indiscipline, Akinlabi stressed that all actions were taken “without fear or favour and in strict compliance with existing rules and regulations.”

“The Service remains committed to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards at all levels,” he said.