NIS Refutes Senator Natasha’s Claim of Passport Seizure at Airport

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, that its officials seized her passport and prevented her from travelling abroad.

The service’s spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, clarified in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday that the incident was part of normal immigration procedures and that the senator had since travelled.

“NIS did not seize the distinguished senator’s passport,” Akinlabi said. “She only went through the usual immigration checks and was cleared to proceed with her trip.”

‘It Was Routine Verification’ — NIS

According to Akinlabi, officers merely performed their statutory duties, which sometimes involve taking a passenger’s passport temporarily for verification.

“The officers needed to conduct standard checks,” he explained. “They may take your passport to do that, but it doesn’t mean it was seized. The senator was cleared afterward and allowed to travel. Perhaps, while waiting for the process to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped.”

He added that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s video, which went viral on social media, was recorded during the verification process, but she failed to post an update after being cleared to fly.

“She has since left the country,” Akinlabi confirmed. “The passport was never confiscated. The video was made during the routine check, not after clearance.”

When asked whether the senator resisted handing over her passport, Akinlabi said he could not confirm that part of the incident.

“I’m not aware of that,” he said. “However, immigration officers are authorised to collect passports for verification purposes and are required to return them afterward, which they did in this case.”

Senator Natasha’s Allegation

Earlier that day, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken to Facebook Live to accuse immigration officials at the airport of preventing her from travelling.

In the video, she appeared visibly frustrated, claiming her passport had been withheld without any legal justification.

“Having completed my second-year celebration, I decided to take a week off,” she said during the livestream. “I’m at the airport, and my passport has been withheld again. Have I committed any offence? Why are you withholding my passport?”

Also read: Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Akpabio, Senate Over Natasha’s Suspension

The senator alleged that despite previous legal directives from the Federal Government to withdraw two cases against her, immigration officials continued to harass her.

“This is wrong,” she said. “There’s no order against me. Yes, I know there are two cases, but the President instructed the Attorney-General to withdraw them. So why am I still being stopped?”

‘You Have No Right To Hold My Passport’ — Senator Fumes

Clearly angered by the situation, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the officers of acting beyond their authority and vowed to take legal action.

“You have no right to withhold my passport or deny me exit from my country,” she said. “I have committed no offence, and this must stop. I think I have to sue you for continuously embarrassing me. You can’t keep doing this every time. You are taking the law into your own hands.”

The lawmaker maintained that she had complied with all court requirements and was not a flight risk.

“I have not missed any of my court appearances. I’m not a risk to my country, so why are you treating me like a criminal?” she added.

Officers Later Apologized

Moments after the confrontation, one of the officers returned her passport. The senator, while receiving it, thanked them sarcastically and questioned their motives.

“Can I have my passport, please? Thank you very much,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to be a rebel to get things right. If I hadn’t gone public, would you have given me my passport?”

In the background of the livestream, immigration officers could be heard apologising and attempting to calm her down.

While the senator’s video sparked reactions online, the Immigration Service has insisted that it was a misunderstanding of routine airport procedures. The agency maintains that it neither seized her passport nor attempted to stop her from leaving the country.