The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has detained 18 immigrants who were using fake voter IDs.
This was said at the launch of the sensitization program for stakeholders on the 2023 general election with the theme “Towards credible Elections in Nigeria: What is expected of Migrants before, during and after the Elections,” according to Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, Mr. Isah Dansuleiman.
According to the Comptroller, immigrants who had broken the law had been sent back to their home nations.
Mr. Dansuleiman pointed out that according to Nigerian law, anyone who is not a Nigerian is not allowed to vote in the upcoming general election, and any migrants who are discovered will be subject to harsh penalties.
The director of immigration in Oyo State further stated that any Nigerian found aiding in the acquisition of any documents, such as voter identification cards or international passports for migrants, would be dealt with.
When in doubt regarding a person’s nationality or identity, the appropriate government body should get in touch with the Nigeria Immigration Service for clarification.
Mr. Dansuleiman explained that Nigerians should make an effort to alert the Nigeria Immigration Service of any suspected instances of foreigners attempting to participate in the voting process at any point for prompt action.
He added that migrants should come to NIS office for E-biometric capturing in order to have means of identification before they could involve in any Nigeria programmes.
Some migrants at the program reacted by calling on the Nigeria Immigration Service to help them, claiming that some of the community leaders in their individual villages in Nigeria have been pressuring them to participate in illegal identification registration for their own personal gain.
For Nigeria Immigration Service to fulfill its mission, they pledged to spread the word to other migrants in their area.
