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NIS acting CGI, Jere tasks officers on quality service delivery
The acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris on Monday declared a week-long Customer Service Ceremony at the Headquarters Abuja.
The event which shall be holding across all Commands and Formations including the NIS offices abroad is an effort to deepen healthy interface with all service seekers on various service windows.
In a statement by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Service Public Relations Officer, Amos Okpu said, it is designed to afford service takers the opportunity to interogate NIS service delivery profile with a view to generating useful feedback for necessary improvements in the quality of service delivery.
The statement which was made a available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja said: “Putting it succinctly, the acting Comptroller General remarked that NIS recognizes the increasing public demand for quality service delivery from all service rendering agencies in contemporary times.
“Our unique roles as both security and service rendering organization require that we emplace structures and processes that should ensure prompt, improved and indeed seamless service delivery across our service windows.”
He noted further that the Service is not unaware that some service seekers are probably not having the desired experiences on some of our service points and therefore wishes that such experiences could be clearly shared with us during and after the Customer Service Week to enable us effect some changes.
He stressed that the reason for the event with the theme “Excellent Service Delivery: A Panacea for Corruption” was borne out of our recognition that we cannot sit in the comfort of our Offices and validate our performances.
“We believe that an event such as this is apt for members of the public who interact with us to truly share their experiences. We are ready to receive constructive criticisms that would help us to improve on the quality of service delivery.
“We strongly believe that ours is a work-in-progress project and so every effort necessary for enhanced service delivery shall be employed for the needed improvement noting that we are not yet where we desired but we are no longer at the point we used to be. Some good changes have occurred” he reiterated.
He assured that stiff sanctions await any member of the workforce who attempts to undermine the zero tolerance for corruption of his administration and called on members of the public to take advantage of all the Service contact details including social media handles to report any unprofessional conducts by any Personnel.
In her remark at the event, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM (Presidency), Mrs. Nnenna Akajiemeli enjoined Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) to begin to treat customers with dignity across their service delivery windows noting that no agency that fails to emplace quality service delivery mechanism is ready for the realities of contemporary world environment.
She stressed that service takers are getting highly sophisticated and knowledgeable about their rights and so no agency can go away with any poor services or conducts any longer. She advised NIS’ management to deepen reforms in Passport processes and procedures for improved experiences for applicants particularly those in the diaspora stressing that a deliberate engagement with the Foreign Affairs Ministry is important.
She also called for the extension of the ongoing reforms to other areas including Border Management.
Earlier, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) Prof. Bolaji Owansonye represented by the Director of Reforms, Mrs. Uloma Olekwama, described the Week-long Customer Service event as very apt and a demonstration of strong commitment by the management of NIS to subject its service delivery structure to public scrutiny.
He called for sustained efforts at the ongoing reforms maintaining that the desire of every service seeker is to be served timely and rightly.
The Customer Service Week which shall hold between 14th-18th February, 2022 across all Commands and Formations will require all Personnel at the various service points such as airports, land and sea borders, Passport Offices and other locations to be readily available to attend to all manner of persons and issues in the most professional ways during and after the event.
In the words of the NIS SERVICOM Nodal Officer and Reform Champion, DCI CPP Obua, “the basic essence of the event is to re-event a professionalized migration management agency that treats people with utmost decency and transparency”.
He noted that the Service has continued to make some remarkable investments in customer interface including the introduction of the Virtual Assistant to help out service seekers who may have any challenge while applying for any facility on our website.
Some major highlights of the week-long event would include lectures, public sensitization visits to critical service points and the unveiling of the NIS Corporate Service Charter.
By Sunday James
The gruesome killing of 16 innocent northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, over false accusations of kidnapping is yet another damning indictment of the failure of law and order in Nigeria.
Time and again, innocent lives have been lost to the mindless brutality of mob justice, a savage and inexcusable act that has become far too common across the country.
This is not an isolated incident. Nigeria has witnessed several tragic cases of jungle justice where angry mobs, fueled by misinformation and misplaced aggression, have taken the law into their own hands.
The Aluu Four incident in 2012, where four young university students in Rivers State were falsely accused of robbery, beaten, and burned to death in a horrific public spectacle, remains one of the most chilling examples.
In 2022, Deborah Samuel, a young student in Sokoto State, was lynched by fellow students over alleged blasphemy, an incident that sparked outrage but yielded little justice. In Lagos, several suspected petty thieves were set ablaze by mobs in broad daylight without any fair trial.
Across the country, from Anambra to Kano, Port Harcourt to Abuja, numerous cases of public executions by mobs continue to surface, often with little to no legal consequences for perpetrators.
The rise of mob justice is fueled by a cocktail of systemic failures that have left Nigerians disillusioned with formal justice mechanisms.
The breakdown of law and order, where the Nigerian police fail to deliver swift and transparent justice, has led to public distrust, encouraging citizens to take matters into their own hands. Rising insecurity, including the surge in kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes, has left many communities in perpetual fear, triggering knee-jerk reactions to perceived threats. Ethnic and religious tensions have also played a major role, with deep-seated biases making certain groups more vulnerable to targeted attacks.
The proliferation of unregulated local vigilante groups and security outfits has further emboldened extrajudicial actions against innocent civilians. Additionally, the slow pace of criminal trials and the failure to punish perpetrators of jungle justice have normalized impunity.The Edo killings, like many before them, must not be swept under the rug.
The government must ensure immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of all those involved in this heinous act. Strengthening law enforcement agencies to curb vigilante excesses and restore public trust is paramount.
There must be massive public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on legal redress rather than mob action. Strict penalties must be enforced against communities and groups involved in jungle justice to deter future occurrences.The Nigerian government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring justice for all.
If mob justice continues unchecked, no one is truly safe. This latest atrocity in Edo should be the final warning: justice delayed is justice denied. The killers must be held accountable, and a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice must begin immediately. Enough is enough. The rule of law must prevail.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
The celebration marks the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje rejoiced with Muslims for the spiritual renewal and discipline attained during the sacred month of fasting, prayer and devotion to Almighty Allah.
He urged the faithful to uphold the virtues of piety, selflessness, and compassion that Ramadan represents while also extending love and kindness to one another, especially to the less privileged in society.
The APC National Chairman further called on Muslims and all citizens to remain steadfast in promoting unity, peace, and national progress in the country.
He emphasized that the lessons of Ramadan—patience, sacrifice, and perseverance—are essential in fostering harmony and strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions.
The two-term Kano State Governor also urged the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in his efforts to lift the country from economic doldrums and resolve lingering security challenges.
He assured Nigerians of the APC-led government’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of all citizens, noting that Nigerians will not regret voting for President Tinubu after his first tenure.
News
Abia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
The Chairman of Aba North Local Government Council, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke has been accused of excesses and high-handedness in revenue collection at the popular Ariaria International Market.
In a statement issued on Monday by Ariaria Stakeholders Forum and signed by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Chukwudi and Secretary, Chief Boniface Kalu on Sunday, the Forum lamented the excesses of the Local Government where he used the soldiers to detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures, Mr Benedict Elias who is a law abiding citizen.
The statement made available to CAPITAL POST pointed out that Mr Elias was duely appointed as agent to Abia Stat3 Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS), hence, he wasn’t carrying out illegality.
The LG however claimed to have the backing of Governor Alex Otti, but further findings revealed that the Governor would never support illegality to the extent that a law abiding citizen was arrested and detained.
A source told CAPITAL POST in Umuahia that Governor Otti believes in the rule of law and will not support any intimidation whatsoever.
Partof the statement read: “The attention of Ariaria Stakeholders Forum (ASF) have been formally drawn to the unlawful and improper action taken by the Local Government Chairman of Aba North Local Government, Mr Timothy Kalu Iheke who used soldiers to illegally arrest and detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig, Mr Benedict Elias, a duely appointed Revenue Agent of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), regarding the revenue collection at Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State.
“The Local Government Chairman of Aba North, Mr Timothy Iheke had attempted to unlawfully assume control over the revenue collection operations at the Ariaria Market, which is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Abia State Government wherein the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) is saddled with the responsibility of revenue collection in the said market.
“The Local Government Chairman has no legal authority to interfere with or take control of the revenue collection process that falls under the remit of the State Government market.
“However, despite this, the LG Chairman Mr Iheke had unlawfully and wrongfully used soldiers who before now have been banned by the appreciate authorities from engaging in such illicit activities to unlawfully arrest without any warrant of arrest and illegally detain Mr. Benedict Elias without any detention order at Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia for two days over false and baseless allegations.
“Mr Benedict Elias the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig. a duly appointed and authorized Revenue Agent of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service was falsely accused of impersonation and of being a fake revenue agent, charges that are entirely unfounded and baseless.
“We would like to emphasize that Mr. Benedict Elias was legally and duely appointed on 13 September 2024 to 31 January 2025 by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, and was fully authorized to carry out revenue collection and enforcement duties at the Ariaria market which he stopped collection of any revenue at the expiration of the said contract with the state government.
“His appointment letter and identification as a state revenue agent, were in full compliance with the law and can be verified by the relevant authorities.
“The actions taken by the Local Government Chairman Mr Iheke and his unauthorized use of soldiers to arrest a legitimate state revenue agent are highly concerning and represent an overstep of authority.
“This interference not only disrupts the lawful revenue collection process but also undermines the authority of the State Executive Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti on which Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service is working for.
“The Board Chairman of BIRS had on many occasions warned Mr Timothy iheke to desist from harassing a Mr Benedict Elias and his team who are bonafide Abia State revenue agent in Ariaria market which is state owned but Iheke blatantly refused but rather threatened to deal with the Board Chairman for telling him to desist from working against the interest of the state government.
“As Stakeholders of Ariaria International Market which most of our members have been doing business in the market for over 40 years, we know Mr. Benedict Elias and he has never been involved in any form of illegality or any questionable acts. He is a man of integrity and uprightness.
“We respectfully request that an immediate investigation be initiated into the actions of the Local Government Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke, and the use of soldiers in this unlawful arrest. Additionally, we ask that Mr. Benedict’s name be cleared and any wrongful actions against him be rectified.
“The relevant authorities at the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service should be consulted to verify Mr. Benedict’s legitimate position and the legal framework governing revenue collection at the Ariaria market.
“We trust that a thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate action taken to ensure that the Aba North Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke is brought to book to account for the use of soldiers on an unarmed and law-abiding civilian Mr Benedict Elias.”
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