The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has initiated an investigation into an incident involving the destruction of a Nigerian passport at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

This information was disclosed in an official statement issued on Sunday by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media, showing a female traveler destroying a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos,” the statement read.

An Incident that was captured on video and widely shared on social media platforms has raised concerns among the general public.

The incident involved a female passenger, identified as Mrs. Igiebor, who tore her husband’s Nigerian Standard Passport shortly after their arrival at the Lagos Airport on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

In the video footage, Ms. Igiebor appeared visibly upset. When asked about her behavior, she responded in a defensive manner, “Is it your passport?”

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a statement regarding the potential violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended) by an individual’s actions. The aforementioned section of the act explicitly prohibits the willful destruction of Nigerian travel documents.

The NIS has outlined specific penalties for such offenses, emphasizing its commitment to strictly enforcing the Immigration Act to ensure national security and preserve the integrity of Nigeria's legal and diplomatic instruments.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains unwavering in its commitment to upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security, and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments,” it added.