The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched an investigation after a viral video surfaced showing a woman tearing a Nigerian passport, allegedly belonging to her husband, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, occurred upon their arrival in Nigeria.
In response to the act, NIS spokesperson Kenneth Udo confirmed that the individuals involved have been identified and summoned for further investigation. Udo emphasized that if the allegations are confirmed, the woman’s actions would constitute a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015. This could result in severe penalties, as outlined under Section 10(h) of the Act.
The punishment for passport mutilation, as stipulated in the Act, includes a possible five-year imprisonment term or a fine of One Million Naira, or both, for altering or assisting in the alteration of travel documents without lawful authority. Additionally, for offenses under the Act where no specific penalty is provided, the convicted individual may face a one-year imprisonment term, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira, or both, and the court may also order the deportation of the offender.
Udo reiterated the NIS’s commitment to enforcing the Immigration Act, highlighting the importance of maintaining the integrity of the country’s legal documents and national security.