…..cite cases of re-occurring jail breaks, deportee escapes, extortion at passport offices, administrative incompetence

A Transparency group, Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN), has called for the resignation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Comptroller-General of Correctional Services, Haliru Nababa and Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap over alleged poor performances.

CCN, made up of members of Civil Society group, Activists and professionals drawn from the six geo-political zones, noted that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo while failing in his supervisory role as Minister has allowed laxity in the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) and Correctional Services.

The group, in a statement issued by its Mobilisation Officer, Engr. Paul Efere argued that the trio of Tunji-Ojo, Nababa and Nanna have failed in their respective National Assignments,considering the spate of jail breaks from Suleja to Maiduguri unaccountable fleeing inmates in some Nigerian prisons and insecurity at airport immigration clearance points leading to escapes of deportees.

Efere pointed out that the recent cases of jail breaks and deportee escape from Airports and other points in the country is adding more to the population of criminal network space and challenging security challenges.

“These glaring failures by the Minister of Interior and CGs of Correctional and Immigration Services on the alleged accounts of their roles and stewardship showed that they have failed over issues of inmates escape without tracking and deliberately covering up incidences with flimsy excuses.”

“The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had also promised Nigerians during a press conference on passport processing and reforms, that by December 2023, people will not need to visit passport offices to capture. People will be able to upload passport and documents online specification. He said it will save time of going to the passport office, but all is nulity and a disgraceful promise.”

” The CG Immigration Kemi Nandap must account for failure in delivering people friendly services in the Passport sections and the so called failed e-gate at the Airport were real scams and not working.”for deportees to be escaping.

“The President should direct thorough investigation of the Minister and the two service chiefs for failure and misleading information sharing in public space when actually depriving and denying Nigerians safety and secured environment.”

“Cases of escaped Inmates both high profile and Boko Haram detainees in Borno and Suleja Custodial Centres and extortion at Passport Offices nationwide and various escapes at airports of Deportees across the nation.

“After all the ceremonies of difficult passport process and acquisition and unaccounted escape of wanted elements through the airports in recent times,very disturbing developments.”

“Mr President should Investigate and direct the failed appointees to take their leave and allow better hands to steer the affairs of the Ministry of Interior,Correctional and Immigration Services.”

“As part of our recommendation the trio have enjoyed cover for too long for failure to deliver based on the mandate of their appointments respectively.”

“Mr President should act without further delay for good governance and security of the Nation,and stop extortion of Nigerians. As the Minister of Interior in a recent workshop of GIABA in Abuja confirmed in his statement that most crimes committed in Nigeria were committed by Non-Nigerians holding Nigerian Passport, the Minister and CG Immigration should defend their actions or inactions as these is gross abuse of office.

“The Coalition is requesting for President Tinubu’s intervention in retiring the CG Kemi Nandap of Immigration Service over the recent ferries of escape of Deportees from the Airport, Extortion in Passport Offices nationwide,failed e- gate project at the nations Airports in Abuja and Lagos.”

“Scandals in US, Protest by Nigerians on arbitrary extortions at the Nigerian Embassy in London,UK , extortions at Murtala Mohammed International Airport by Immigration Officers.She is due for retirement on the 10/10/2024 three weeks from now.” CCN stated.