By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has denied allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that its officers seized her international passport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday, November 4, 2025.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had gone live on social media earlier in the day, alleging that immigration officers prevented her from travelling by withholding her passport without any legal justification. The senator claimed the action was politically motivated and allegedly linked to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Reacting to the allegation, the NIS spokesperson, Dr. Kenneth Udo, described the senator’s claims as misleading, stating that her passport was never seized. According to him, Akpoti-Uduaghan was only subjected to the routine immigration clearance process applicable to all passengers.
“The Nigerian Immigration Service did not seize Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s passport. She went through the normal immigration checks, and her documents were returned to her. She was cleared and allowed to travel,” the spokesperson clarified.
Dr. Udo emphasized that the NIS operates strictly within the law and has no political interests in its operations. He noted that temporary verification or documentation checks at the airport should not be misinterpreted as a seizure.
“What happened was a standard verification process. We treat all travelers equally regardless of their political or social status,” he added.
Despite the NIS clarification, the incident has continued to generate reactions online, with supporters of the senator accusing the authorities of intimidation, while others insist the agency was only performing its statutory duty.
