President orders immediate withdrawal of diplomatic passports from ex-govt officials

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian Immigration Service to immediately withdraw official diplomatic passports of public office holders in the country.

According to report, the directive would affect former governors, former ministers, former senators, former members of the House of Representatives, and former members of state Houses of Assembly.

Former commissioners, former special advisers/special assistants, former chairmen/deputy chairmen of local government areas, all retired heads of parastatals and retired public servants will also be affected.

The categories of officials affected by the directive are former governors, former ministers, former senators, former members of the House of Representatives, and former members of state Houses of Assembly.

In a statement by the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Martin Abeshi, on Monday, September 7, the diplomatic passports of the ex-government officials have been revoked.

The statement said, “These categories of persons are hereby informed that these passports which were previously held by them have been revoked and should return them to the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Sauka Abuja with immediate effect.

“Failure to comply with this directive will amount to an offence under the Immigration Act 2015. Such unauthorized possession will be impounded at our control posts on arrival or departure."

It said the decision was intended to protect and promote Nigeria’s integrity in the comity of nations in addition to ensuring law and order.