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Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has said that the Nigeria Immigration Service would stop at nothing to fish out and punish corrupt officials among its fold, stating that she would not sit and watch the integrity of the service thrown into the abyss.

Speaking to senior officers of NIS at the flag-off of a two-day workshop on building the value culture of Nigeria Immigration Service, the Comptroller General said: “We gather today at a critical juncture in our service’s history, where the fabric of our integrity is threatened by the actions of a few.

“Recent events have cast a dark shadow on our reputation, and it is imperative that we take collective responsibility to restore our honour and uphold the trust placed in us.”

She lamented that: “The footage of some officers soliciting gratification, taking bribes, and even being intoxicated while on duty is a stark reminder of the menace of corruption that threatens to consume us,” noting: “These actions not only betray the trust of the public but also undermine our very purpose as guardians of our nation’s borders and protectors of its citizens.”

Nandap told the officers that: “We must acknowledge that corruption is a hydra-headed monster that can only be defeated through a collective effort. It is our responsibility to identify and root out the corrupt elements within our ranks, and to create a culture of accountability, transparency, and zero tolerance for corruption.”

She noted that: “Recently, the Nigeria Immigration Service conducted a Nationwide campaign to mitigate corruption and improve service delivery,” revealing that: “These sustained efforts are geared towards ensuring accountability, transparency, and a culture of excellence in our operations.”

She called on the officers that, “As we begin this workshop on Mitigating Corruption, Improving Service Delivery, and Ethical Compliance, I urge you all to reflect on the oath we swore to uphold.

“At the heart of our service are the core values of: Integrity, Discipline, Professionalism, Customer Service, Patriotism, Excellence, Confidentiality and Teamwork.”

She said: “These values are the foundation upon which our service is built, and this campaign intends to reiterate and promote them. We must recognize that our role is not just to enforce laws but to serve as ambassadors of Nigeria. Our conduct must reflect these values.”

She added that: “I pledge to lead by example, and I expect the same commitment from each of you. Together, we can mitigate corruption, improve our service delivery, and restore the dignity of our service.

“Let us rise to this challenge, and may our collective efforts be the catalyst for a new era of excellence in the Nigeria Immigration Service.”