Nigeria Immigration Service Nabs Travelers with Stolen and Fake Passports
In a critical operation at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recently apprehended two travelers, Melekwe Gift and Melekwe Peace, over allegations of using stolen and counterfeit international passports. The incident unfolded on June 23, 2022, as the pair was preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight destined for India.
Stringent Security Measures
The arrests were made possible due to the diligent immigration clearance process executed by the Lagos Airport Command. According to a statement from Louisa Amadiokoro, the public relations officer for the Command, these arrests emphasize the effectiveness of the stringent security protocols put in place. Kemi Nandap, the assistant Comptroller-General of the MMA Command, elaborated on the improvements in surveillance and security. This initiative aligns with directives from Isah Jere Idris, the acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The Travelers’ Claims
Upon their apprehension, the duo claimed to be a couple traveling together. However, further investigations revealed that this assertion was a facade. Gift was found to be in possession of a stolen passport that had been watch-listed since July 29, 2011, while Peace held a forged passport, as confirmed by forensic investigations conducted by the command.
Interestingly, both travelers attributed their possession of the dubious documents to an alleged agent named Yusuf, who, they claimed, facilitated their travel plans. This raises questions about the roles various agents play in this kind of unlawful activity.
A Deeper Investigation
As investigators delved deeper, it came to light that the travelers’ professed reason for the trip—a medical consultation for leukemia—was a ruse. Nandap pointed out that Gift was in perfect health, contradicting their earlier claims. It was also revealed that they were not a couple at all; instead, they had only met a day before their flight.
The Reality of Human Trafficking
Gift’s real name was discovered to be Endurance Ofem Ikpi, hailing from Ugep in Cross Rivers state. She was not married to Peace and was reportedly instructed to feign a relationship by the agent who promised a better life abroad. Gift mentioned that an old friend, Tina, who currently resides in India, had influenced her decision to embark on this journey with promises of job opportunities.
This troubling narrative suggests that the suspects were not mere criminals but potentially innocent victims of a larger human trafficking scheme, emphasizing the growing concern regarding such practices in the region.
Consequences and Next Steps
After being interrogated, the two travelers were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further necessary action. This decision underscores the urgency and importance of addressing human trafficking and the exploitation of individuals seeking better prospects abroad.
The vigilance of the NIS at MMA is a crucial step toward combating such illicit activities. While the travelers may have intended to seek greener pastures, the dangers associated with human trafficking and forgery underscore the importance of formal avenues for migration and job placement abroad.
