The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has addressed claim that the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was seized at the airport. NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi told Channels Television on Tuesday that the lawmaker went through standard immigration checks and was subsequently allowed to travel.
Mr Akinlabi explained that the temporary retention of a passport for verification purposes is part of the statutory duties of immigration officers and does not constitute seizure. “NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel,” he said.
The NIS spokesperson added that passports may be temporarily held while officers carry out necessary checks, but this should not be misinterpreted as a restriction of movement. “The NIS officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged,” Akinlabi stated.
According to the immigration service, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recorded a live video while the checks were ongoing but did not inform her followers after she was cleared to fly.
The senator had earlier alleged on a Facebook live broadcast that officers withheld her passport and prevented her from travelling abroad, claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed the action. The NIS did not address this specific allegation.
This latest incident mirrors a similar situation in July when the senator was briefly stopped at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, before being allowed to continue her journey. Authorities have reiterated that all procedures followed during such checks are routine and aimed at ensuring compliance with Immigration regulations rather than restricting lawful travel.
