The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that its officers seized her passport at the airport to prevent her from travelling abroad.

According to NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi, the incident was part of standard immigration procedures and not an act of harassment or obstruction. He explained that officers may temporarily hold a traveller’s passport for verification purposes but return it once the process is complete.

“NIS did not seize the senator’s passport. She went through routine checks and was allowed to travel,” Akinlabi said, adding that the video Senator Akpoti recorded was taken during the verification process, not after she was cleared.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, had alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed immigration officers to withhold her passport because she allegedly “spoils the image of the country” during international media interviews. She described the alleged action as a violation of her fundamental rights and urged authorities to intervene.

The NIS reiterated that its officers were performing their lawful duties and that the senator was allowed to proceed with her travel. When asked if the senator resisted handing over her passport, Akinlabi said he could not confirm that, emphasizing that officers must return passports after verification, which they did in this case.