Nigerian Immigration Denies Seizing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Passport

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has refuted claims that it withheld the international passport of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to information obtained by PulseNets, the Service clarified that the lawmaker’s encounter at the airport was a routine immigration procedure, not an act of victimization or obstruction.

Speaking on the matter, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, explained that officers were merely performing their statutory duties and that no seizure occurred.

“At no point did the NIS seize Senator Natasha’s passport,” Akinlabi told PulseNets. “She simply went through standard immigration checks and was eventually cleared to travel. Sometimes, officers may briefly take a traveler’s passport for verification, but that should not be interpreted as confiscation.”

Akinlabi further clarified that the senator was not barred from travelling and had since been allowed to proceed with her trip. He noted that misunderstandings can occur during such procedures, especially when checks take longer than expected.

“It appears she might have assumed her movement was being restricted while the verification process was ongoing,” the spokesperson added in his chat with PulseNets.

Also Read: AGF Refutes Abuse of Court Process in Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Defamation Trial

PulseNets learnt that the senator had earlier shared a video suggesting her international passport was being withheld, alleging that she had been stopped from travelling abroad. However, she reportedly did not provide an update after being cleared to fly.

The NIS maintained that the Service remains committed to upholding due process and ensuring that all travellers, regardless of status, are treated fairly under the law.