NIS Denies Natasha Akpoti’s Accusation, Says Her Passport Was Never Seized

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, that its officers seized her passport at the airport.

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti had earlier alleged in a Facebook live video that immigration officials stopped her from travelling abroad and withheld her passport without any valid reason.

The lawmaker also recalled facing a similar situation in the past, alleging that it was done on the orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Reacting to the allegation, NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi told Channels Television on Tuesday that the lawmaker was simply undergoing standard immigration checks and was eventually cleared to travel.

“NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel,” the NIS spokesperson said.

Akinlabi explained that immigration officers are authorised to temporarily hold passports for verification, which may have caused the misunderstanding.

He said, “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.

“She has since been allowed to travel. Perhaps while waiting for the checks to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped from travelling.”

The immigration spokesperson added that the senator recorded the video during the routine process but did not share an update after being cleared to fly.

“She has travelled since then. The video was made while she was going through the checks, not after. The passport was never seized,” Akinlabi said.

When asked if the senator refused to hand over her passport, Akinlabi said he could not confirm that.

He said, “I don’t know about that. But the officers conducting the checks are authorised to collect passports for verification and must return them once done, which they did.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan recently invited Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers for a project commissioning in Kogi State.