The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has denied claims that it seized the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had earlier accused immigration officers of withholding her passport on the alleged orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, preventing her from boarding a flight. She insisted she committed no offence and had no court order restraining her from travel.
The allegation drew public attention after a video surfaced showing the lawmaker questioning the immigration officials at the airport.
However, reacting on Monday, the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, dismissed the claim and described the incident as a routine security procedure.
“Immigration did not seize the distinguished senator’s passport,” Akinlabi said in a response shared with journalists. “She was subjected to routine checks like every other traveller and was eventually cleared to fly.”
According to him, immigration officers are permitted to temporarily collect passports for verification, but this does not amount to seizure.
“The officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged,” he said. “The passport was returned, and she travelled. The video circulating online was filmed while the checks were ongoing.”
Akinlabi added that he could not confirm whether the senator resisted handing over her passport, noting only that officers followed standard procedure.
The incident has stirred conversation on social media, with some users expressing concerns over alleged political victimisation, while others faulted the senator for raising alarm over what they considered a routine airport procedure.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been in the spotlight since her surprising electoral victory in Kogi State, and has accused the ruling party hierarchy of targeting her since she defeated the APC candidate in the 2023 senatorial election.
Neither the Senate President nor his office has officially reacted to the senator’s allegation as of press time.
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