News Obiaks News

The news hit the headline of a Palestinian making effort to enter into Nigeria from Lebanon by procuring a fake Nigerian passport and a fake visa. Investigations are on to unravel the the issue and the Nigerian authority has taken search for answers to the immigration sector of Nigeria.

There is apparent air of fear and paranoia in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) over the issuance of visa to ISIS chief, Ahmed Al Assir, who was apprehended by Lebanese security operatives while he was on his way to Nigeria.

Al Assir was on his way to Nigeria through Egypt but was arrested by security officials at the airport. He was reportedly accused of being responsible for the death of about 17 Lebanese soldiers and was sentenced to death by the country's judiciary.

Already, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into how the wanted terrorist was issued with a Nigerian passport. Al Assir was a fugitive who was wanted by several governments around the world and the president desires to distance the country from the accused person, hence the swift investigation.

It was revealed midweek that the president was worried about the development and had ordered relevant agencies to explain how an ISIS terrorist was found with a valid Nigerian passport. The president wants anyone who might be involved one way or the other to be investigated and brought to book.

The reported arrest of the wanted terrorist has been described as a huge embarrassment to Nigeria by presidency spokesperson, and that the president has directed that the matter should be investigated thoroughly. The embassy in Lebanon has been directed to furnish the government with details of how the man got the visa. The National Intelligence Agency Officials have been directed to provide details of what actually transpired. They have been given stipulated time to submit their findings and the presidency spokesperson assured that the report of the findings will be made available to newsmen once they are available.

Officials of the NIS on Wednesday, August 19, engaged in several meetings to deliberate on the issue and sources have said that some persons may face sack following the controversial visa saga. The presidency has vowed to leave no stone unturned regarding this incidence in any government agency that may be involved, including the Nigerian Immigration Services.

It was also reported that the presidency is considering a major ‘shake-up’ in the visa department to prevent a recurrence of the issue. Members of staff of the NIS are unavoidably disturbed for the fear of the axe falling on them.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have reacted angrily to the news that Al Assir’s attempted to enter Nigeria and some have accused the president of being lackadaisical about the issue. They claimed the president is only paying lip-service to the issue of security in Nigeria, if not, swift actions would have been taken the moment the news hit the headlines. Cross section of Nigerians ask the government to beef up security along Nigerian borders with other countries, especially in the northern part of the country.