A 21-year-old lady from Akwa-Ibom has dragged one of the personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS before its hierarchy over alleged sexual misconduct.
The lid of the yet-to-be named officer involved the alleged unlawful detention and sexual assault of the victim identified as Ben Bright Friday, was blown open via an online report by Foundation for Investigative Journalism.
In a statement on its official X handle on Thursday, the NIS noted that its attention had been drawn to reports alleging grave misconduct, including unlawful detention and sexual assault.
The NIS also said it has ordered the arrest, probe of officer linked to allegations and launched a probe into the incident with a view to punish the perpetrator of the alleged crime.
The report claimed that the lady identified as Ben Bright Friday, told FIJ that immigration officers intercepted her on Friday, January 16, unlawfully detained her through Saturday and Sunday, and only released her on Monday.
It also “during this period, one officer — identified as Makama and addressed as “oga” by his colleagues — brutalised, intimidated, detained and repeatedly raped her’.
Responding, the immigration service condemned the alleged act, describing it as “extremely serious”, stressing that any acts of misconduct by any of its personnel are entirely unacceptable and will be treated with the severity they deserve.
“The attention of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been drawn towards an online publication alleging grave misconduct by one of its personnel, including claims of unlawful detention and sexual assault involving a Nigerian woman.
“NIS considers these allegations extremely serious and emphasises that any acts of misconduct by any of its personnel are entirely unacceptable and will be treated with the severity they deserve, as they undermine the Service’s values, ethics and professional standards.”
The Service has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations, and any personnel found to have engaged in the misconduct will be held accountable, and appropriate disciplinary and legal actions will be applied, according to the Press statement.
The statement also stated that the Service further reiterated that it will neither shield nor condone any act that undermines public trust or violates the rights and dignity of individuals.
