By Charles Abere
The Ekiti State Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Abdulrasheed Kayode Ademola, has debunked an alleged report that some female Immigration Assistants were being used for home chores.
Mr Ademola said the report which was carried by one of the popular online media outfits in the country last Sunday was intended to smear the image of the security agency, urging the citizens to discountenance the allegation. He described the NIS as a responsible federal government agency that strives to protect the rights of every Nigerian against slavery and trafficking.
The report with the headline: “We are being used to sweep, cook, female Immigration operatives Kick” was described by the NIS helmsman as damaging,injurious and pernicious to the corporate image of the agency.
Reacting further to what he referred to as an unfounded accusation, the Comptroller, appealed to the concerned online medium to resist being used as purveyor of fake news, adding that all their personnel were being treated with dignity and respect despite the fact that the rules permit the NIS to use their Immigration Assistants Cadre for general duties which include; Supervising subordinate staff and maintaining discipline among them. Performing Escort duties, Patrol, Guard Duties, Orderly duties and serving as Drivers. Performing Radio room duties. Performing clerical duties such as filing of mails and so on. Participating in raids on irregular migrants. Maintaining general cleanliness of Immigration buildings and surroundings. Receiving applications for Immigration facilities and other services. Maintaining Security of Immigration formations at the Border areas. Performing any other duties that may be assigned by the State Comptroller.
Mr Ademola advised the medium to do a thorough investigation into the accusation raised to establish the veracity of its claim, rather than relying on a source, or perhaps fabricated outright lies to malign the NIS.
According to him,’ part of the statutory mandates of NIS besides combating the scourge of illegal immigrants from entering into Nigeria is to tame child slavery, trafficking and labour within the system, which the body has neither failed nor faltered’.
“The NIS is aware about the dangers inherent in using human beings for demeaning purposes and can’t compromise by perpetrating such condemnable act. To me, the media report strongly negates the principles of fairness, balance and objectivity which are the hallmarks of true journalistic practice”.
Stressing that the report remains spurious and baseless, the NIS Chief reiterated that though, Immigration Assistants can be deployed to perform general cleanliness in any of Immigration buildings and surroundings as part of statutory duties within the precinct of the office, not somewhere else.
