CGI orders investigations into scuffle between immigration officers and council chairman in Ibadan

CGI orders investigations into scuffle between immigration officers and council chairman in Ibadan

The Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Muhammad Babandede, has described the altercation between his men and officials of Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State as unfortunate.

The CGI, who has ordered investigations into the incident, said any officers and men of the NIS found wanting would be punished.

The CGI, while stating that both agencies of government had been enjoying age-long cordial relationship, said it was quite unfortunate that a minor disagreement led to scuffle.

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The Ibadan North Local Government chairman, Shuaib Oladayo, aka Agbaegbe, and officers of Nigeria Immigration Service were reported to have been involved in fisticuffs.

The council boss and some of his aides were reported to have been thoroughly assaulted by some Immigration officers at the headquarters of the command in Oyo State.

It was reported that Agbaegbe had gone to the office of the Immigration in Oyo State in company with some of his aides after he was told that some persons were using forged letter head of the council to perpetrate fraudulent activities there.

The report alleged that the chairman, two councillors and his media aide and photographer who went there were challenged and harassed immediately they stepped on the premises.

Reacting to the incident, the CGI in a statement by the spokesperson of the NIS, Amos Okpu, an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, said: “The attention of the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Muhammad Babandede has been drawn to some reports about a misunderstanding between some of our Personnel at the Oyo State Command Office and Officials of the Ibadan North Local Government Area yesterday (Wednesday).

“The Comptroller General is disturbed that a minor misunderstanding was not quickly resolved leading to an unnecessary scuffle between two friendly agencies that have maintained very cordial relationship over the years.”

He said: “The Ibadan North Local Government Council remains one of the best immediate neighbours and indeed the nearest democratic institution to the Oyo State Command Complex. Our agency has huge regards as well as honour for democratic institutions and thus should not be involved in anything to the contrary. The Service and Ibadan North Local Government Council have continued to enjoy excellent neighbourliness over the decades thereby making this altercation most unfortunate.”

He added that: “The Comptroller General holds the Chairman of the Council and his Management team in high esteem and so has ordered an investigation into the unfortunate development.

“He appeals for calm stressing that due diligence will be taken to not only ensure amicable resolution of the matter but that any Personnel found to have acted unprofessionally is appropriately sanctioned.”