A group of concerned citizens has petitioned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over alleged extortion by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Akure office in Ondo State.
According to the petitioners, applicants are being charged exorbitant fees for passport renewal, contrary to the stipulated online fees. The renewal fee for a 10-year passport has allegedly increased from N70,000 to N110,000, while the renewal fee for a 5-year passport has risen from N35,000 to N55,000. Some residents claim to have paid as much as N75,000.
The petitioners allege that certain individuals at the NIS Akure office are using their positions for personal gain and bypassing established protocols to benefit themselves and their allies.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, has denied the allegations, stating that the official fees for passport renewal are N70,000 for 10 years and N35,000 for 5 years. He urged applicants to report any instances of extortion to the authorities.
The petitioners are calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations and appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable.
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