Isaac Ben Etim, an Abuja resident, has accused officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State, of harassing and demanding N2 million from his sister while travelling to Mali, before eventually settling for N200,000.

Speaking with FIJ on Friday, Etim said the incident occurred on Thursday when his sister Blessing was returning to Mali after visiting Nigeria for the festive season.

ARREST AT SEME BORDER

According to Etim, after several unsuccessful attempts to reach his sister by phone, she later called to explain what had happened.

“My sister arrived in Nigeria on December 15, 2025, to spend the festive season with our family in Akwa Ibom State, although I reside in Abuja,” said Etim.

“So, it was on Thursday, while she was heading back to Mali, that the incident occurred.

“She told me she couldn’t answer my calls because officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service had arrested and handcuffed her at the Seme Command in Badagry, Lagos State.

“Within the first few minutes of the arrest, they asked for her passport, and she presented the documents she has always used for her travels between Mali and Nigeria.

“My sister travels with an Ambassade du Nigeria et Burkina Faso ID card, along with her National Identification Number (NIN). She renewed the ID card about three months ago, and I personally paid for the renewal.

“When my sister informed the officers that she had all her original travel documents, which she showed them on the spot, they shifted the matter to something else.”

ACCUSATIONS AND HARASSMENT

Etim said a female immigration officer was particularly hostile to his sister, accusing her of travelling to Mali for prostitution.

“My sister told me it was a particular female officer who was tormenting her,” said Etim.

“She told my sister, ‘You’re going to Mali to do ashewo [prostitution].’

“Even when the female officer collected her phone and searched everything, she couldn’t find anything incriminating.”

‘PAY N2 MILLION OR YOU WON’T GO’

Etim said the situation escalated after the officers failed to find any wrongdoing on his sister’s phone, prompting them to resort to extortion.

“When the officer couldn’t find anything criminal on my sister’s phone, she demanded N2 million as a condition for her freedom,” he said.

“My sister was crying and begging them, but they refused to release her.”

Etim said he told the officers he could only afford N100,000.

“When my sister called me and I realised the level of mistreatment she was facing, I told them I could only raise N100,000,” he said.

However, the officers rejected the amount.

“Even after I sent the money, the female officer said it was not enough. They eventually collected N200,000 from us before they released her,” Etim said. (FIJ)