The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended senior officers overseeing the Lagos-Seme border commands over alleged extortion.

In a statement on Friday, Akinsola Akinlabi, the NIS spokesperson, said the move comes after online reports accused some immigration officers along the Lagos-Seme corridor of misconduct “bordering on extortion”.

The spokesperson said Kemi Nandap, the comptroller-general of immigration, had “temporarily relieved the Comptrollers in charge of the affected Commands of their duties” pending the outcome of a probe into the incidents.

Akinlabi said Nandap unequivocally condemned the actions depicted in the reports, describing them as “unacceptable” and in “direct violation of the core values, ethics, and operational standards of the Service”.

The statement said the investigation would be comprehensive, aimed at identifying all officers involved and ensuring “appropriate disciplinary measures are applied with immediate effect”.

“The Service wishes to reassure the general public, that it remains committed to delivering professional, transparent, and efficient services at all points of entry and exit,” the statement added.