The Nigeria Immigration Service, Rivers State Command has commenced a statewide operation code named “Operation Guguwa” to carry out intelligence gathering on irregular migrants, spot checks and investigate reported cases for proper documentation, profiling, investigation and recommendations for appropriate sanctioning by the service headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement by the State Command Comptroller, CIS James Sunday made available to Channel Network Afrique, the operation became imperative in view of cases discovered through intelligence gathering on the activities of its operatives by the intelligence and surveillance section of the investigation and compliance unit of the command.
According to CIS James, the Command discovered connivance, abuses and deliberate attempts by syndicates that specialize in extorting expatriates for irregularities in their residency and work permits as well as promising them cover from the service apprehension and arrest.
While he warned officers and Men of the command involved in any act contrary to their expected roles and responsibilities to take redress and allow the system work as an institution, the State Comptroller stated that the Operation is already yielding positive results as
suspect and those alleged to be involved in abuses of relevant immigration provisions through the intelligence gathered have being profiled and deployed for successful Apprehension.
He further added that collaboration to deny government of revenues as well as the extortion and diversion of operational works from the state Command to other states when the operational base is in Rivers State will no longer be condoned or tolerated as every state Command has its area of jurisdiction and limitations.
CIS James furher advised Expatriates within Rivers to process and regularise their documents through the command and the command will through appropriate channel forward requests to either the Service Headquarters, Abuja or the Zonal Office.
He also stressed that circumventing or undermining the role of the State Command will only amount to abuse of due diligence process and the command will not entertain cases of extortion or infringement by unauthorised individuals or group in the regularisation of stay, visa process and endorsement and other facilities at the disposal of the state Command.
The Rivers NIW boss further warned touts at the passport office Annex to stay clear and allow applicants get the best service and treat cases of extortions and undue delay in processing passport for applicants through interference by third party or touts will not be condoned as internal checker and intelligence machinery has been put in place for the good image of the service and the Command.
