NIS dismisses two officers over kidnapping, firearms possession, sanctions 31 others
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed two of its junior officers after internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings found them guilty of criminal conspiracy, theft, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.
The affected personnel, Aliyu Usman and Chukwu Nancy Ngozi, were expelled from the Service following the conclusion of separate disciplinary processes on April 14 and September 4, 2025, respectively.
Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS spokesperson, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja, explaining that the disciplinary actions were taken after the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) completed a review of several misconduct cases within the agency.
According to the statement, the Board had recently concluded a review of 31 disciplinary cases involving NIS personnel, acting on recommendations from its Disciplinary and General-Purpose Committee (BDGPC), which met on July 11, 2025.
“Eight officers were dismissed from the Service for serious misconduct and violation of Service regulations.
“In addition, five officers were compulsorily retired for offences bordering on misconduct,” NIS said.
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He further disclosed that eight officers were demoted by one rank, while five others received written warnings for various acts of misconduct.
Two appeals against dismissal were rejected for lack of merit, while one officer was reinstated after a successful appeal, and two others were completely exonerated.
The Service reiterated that the dismissal of Usman and Ngozi reflected the Service’s zero-tolerance stance toward criminality and unethical behaviour among its ranks.
“The disciplinary measures underscore the Board’s commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards across all cadres of the Service.
“The Service will continue to take decisive actions without fear or favour in line with extant rules and regulations”, he said.
The dismissal of Officer Chukwu Nancy Ngozi followed her arrest in July by the Enugu State Police Command for alleged involvement in a high-profile kidnapping case that shocked many Nigerians.
NIS investigations revealed that Ngozi and her sister, Juliet Chukwu, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were accused of masterminding the abduction of their elder brother, Friday Chukwu, along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla.
The sisters, both natives of Amaeze village in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, allegedly conspired with four other accomplices, still at large, to demand a ransom of ₦30 million, which was reportedly paid to secure their brother’s release.
The duo were also linked to another kidnapping incident involving Mr Dennis Igwe, General Manager of China Oriental Mining Company, abducted in the same area under similar circumstances.
Confirming the arrests at the time, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, said security agencies were investigating the full extent of the sisters’ involvement.
“Yes, we are aware of the incidents, though they did not occur in my local government. The sisters of Mr. Friday Chukwu, who is my friend, have been arrested. They said six people were involved, and four others are still at large,” Ajah stated.
The NIS, in recent months, has intensified internal oversight measures to strengthen discipline and public trust.
The Service leadership has emphasised that officers found complicit in criminal or unethical acts will face severe sanctions.
NIS assured that the recent dismissals and demotions demonstrate the Service’s commitment to accountability and professionalism in the discharge of its statutory duties.
“We will continue to uphold integrity as the bedrock of our operations and ensure that every officer represents the values of the Nigeria Immigration Service,” the statement noted.
