Nigeria Civil Rights Movement (NCRM) is mobilising for a mass protest over alleged job racketeering and extortion of expatriates in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Led by Joshua Abah, the group called on the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to wade into the situation and restore order. The group claimed that N1 million was being collected from each expatriate for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), but dubious officials of the outfit remit less than N200,000 to the Federal Government.

This, it contended, is an eyesore and a drawback on the fight against corruption, especially as the victims are members of the international community.

Continuing, the group claimed: “The NIS suddenly stopped paying the peculiar and rent allowances approved for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) of the Federal Government by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

“Yet, it is shocking to note that these allowances have been released and are being enjoyed by other departments and agencies, even in the Ministry of Interior. This wicked act has further deepened the pay disparity in the Service compared to other departments, resulting in the dampened morale and low personnel output.”

Blaming the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Wura-Ola Carol, for the situation, the group faulted the procedure adopted in her appointment.

NCRM stated: “For someone, who was illegally brought back 24 hours to her retirement to head the NIS and whose date of birth is a mystery, it is obvious that she is not fit to occupy that office but was smuggled in to serve vested interests.

“For the system to cleansed of corruption, the possibility of having Immigration officers render these services should be explored or consider converting the staff of these companies into Immigration officers. Not only would this ensure the security of data, it would also result in substantial savings for the government.”

The group said it would embark on a massive rally at the National Assembly Complex on Friday to ensure that “enemies of Nigeria, whose only credentials is corruption and nepotism, are not given opportunity to destroy the future of Nigeria.” (The Guardian)

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