High Blood Pressure As CG Withdraws Foreign Posting Of 80 Immigration Officers

Scores of Nigeria Immigration officers are turning in sick letters following the withdrawal of their postings to Nigerian embassies abroad as immigration attaches.

Some of the affected officers who explained their plight to THE WHISTLER said the withdrawal letters came on Tuesday March 5, 2024, a few weeks after they were officially informed of their postings.

The officers, who had to be persuaded to explain what happened because they were warned not to inform the press about the development, said they were about 80 in number, posted to different Nigerian embassies in Europe, the United States, Asia and African countries.

They had all received 3-weeks training at the Nigerian Immigration Headquarters in Abuja and received their “posting order (letter)” since January 8, 2024.

THE WHISTLER gathered that some of the officers had already been paid for the trip before Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju retired as Comptroller General of Immigration few days ago.

“We’re shocked and devastated by the development and some of us have been hospitalized,” one of the officers told THE WHISTLER.

“You can imagine something you had planned for and informed your family and suddenly you’re told it will not happen again.”

One of the posting letters sighted by THE WHISTLER entitled: Posting of Immigration Attaches To Foreign Mission, addressed to each of the officers read:

“I am directed to convey the Comptroller General’s approval for your posting to… as immigration attache from 8th January, 2024. You are to report to the Consul General, Consulate General of Nigeria… It is pertinent to note that this posting is subject to terms and conditions approved in the Foreign Posting Policy stipulated for the period of (3) three years. You are expected to use this opportunity to serve Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Republic of Nigeria diligently, in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rule, ethics of the Service and in the best interest of Nigeria. Congratulations.”

The letter, dated January 8, 2024 was signed by Babangida Usman, a deputy comptroller general for human resources management.

THE WHISTLER gathered that a new twist was introduced after Wura-Ola Adepoju retired as Comptroller-General a few days ago.

Sources claimed that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was unhappy with the list of immigration attaches drawn by the outgone CG.
He was said to have complained that the CG did not carry him along.

So, as soon as she retired and a new permanent secretary was posted to the ministry of interior, the scheming to replace the attaches allegedly started.

The development culminated in a letter from GC Didel, an assistant comptroller of immigration on behalf of the CG, withdrawing the posting letters earlier given out.

A copy of the letter dated March 5, in possession of THE WHISTLER, addressed to the newly nominated immigration attaches, read:

“ATTN: Newly Nominated Immigration Attaches RE-PO5TTN6 OF IMMIGRATION ATTACHE5 TO FOREIGN MI5STON

“Kindly refer to the above subject matter vide letter NIS/CGI /FD/175/II dated 8th January, 2024.

“2. I am directed to request all officers affected to return their original posting orders to enable the Service effect certain procedural and administrative issues.

“3. The letters should be returned to the SA-CGIS (Foreign Desk) on or before Thursday 9th March, 2024.

“4. You are to ensure strict compliance.”

Sources told THE WHISTLER that some of the affected officers have gone into depression since they got the new information.

“Those not sick are said to suffer high blood pressure due to the sad news,” said an officer not among those affected.

He said they are hoping that the minister of interior will intervene to save them the embarrassment.