Immigration generates N648m, issues 42, 760 e-passport in 2016 in Edo
NAN-HE-16
Revenue
By Deborah Ogedemgbe
Benin, May 25, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Edo Command, has generated revenue of N648 million from the issuance of 42, 760 Electronic Passport (e-passport) in 2016.
The State Comptroller of the Service, Mr David Adi made this known on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
Adi explained that revenue of N2, 007.200 was generated from the issuance 772 ECOWAS passport, while N101, 160 was raised from the issuance of 81 residence permit within the period under review.
“The command registered 111 aliens on arrival and 126 aliens’ departure with N11, 100 and N12, 600 generated as revenue respectively.
“Recently 450 illegal immigrants from three neighbouring West Africa countries of Niger, Mali and Ghana were apprehended in a 24 hours operation across the state by the command.
“Those apprehended are currently undergoing verification and anyone found with illegal travel documents will be deported to his/her country.
“Officials of the command acted on intelligence report gathered to apprehend the immigrants.
He stressed that immigrants travelling without valid travel documents have huge security risk on the nation, especially with the present state of insecurity in some parts of the country.
Adi said that the immigrants take advantage of the expansive border of Nigeria to sneak into the country in spite of NIS efforts at effectively monitoring the borders.
He appealed to the public to avail the command of information on any suspected illegal immigrants while commending sister security agencies on their synergy with the command.
The comptroller advised employers of labour to critically investigate and interrogate prospective employees before employing them.
Adi said that in spite of achievements recorded by the command, there were still some challenges needing urgent attention.
He said the command needed more working tools like vehicles, adding that the Comptroller General of NIS was working to ensure effective Service delivery. (NAN)
DCO/OIF/AFA
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Felix Ajide