Immigration officers harassed me for refusing to pay bribe at airport – UK resident alleges
By Chioma Njoku
A Nigerian resident in the United Kingdom, Sarah Effiong, has denounced immigration officers at the Port Harcourt International Airport, for allegedly victimising her after turning down their demand for a bribe.
Effiong narrated her ordeal to journalists, alleging that she was subjected to unnecessary delay and almost missed her flight back to the UK for refusing to be fleeced by the immigration officers on duty at the airport.
Effiong who has dual citizenship said her experience was torturous as she had to leave her luggage behind at the airport terminal after eventually being freed by the immigration officers.
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According to her, after presenting legitimate travel documents, the immigration officers asked her ‘to tip them’ and she declined the request.
“The only crime I committed was refusing to allow the immigration operatives to extort me after presenting them with sufficient legal traveling documents. Not paying a bribe to the immigration officers at the clearing terminal point almost made me miss my flight today.
“Having dual citizenship alone should have sent the right signal to them but they were not bothered. My documents were all complete and as a British citizen working with the Bank of England, I had proper documents and saw no reason to pay the bribe.”
“They made me suffer, detaining me for several hours. I had to abandon my luggage at the airport to catch up with my flight eventually.
Effiong who took photographs and names of the accused immigration officers said she was willing to disclose their identities to the Nigerian Immigration authorities to investigate the incident and sanction them.
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”I took their pictures and names, especially at the point where my passport was mishandled and I recorded all the harassments,” Effiong said.
Pestering travellers for bribes and victimising those who refuse to comply appears to be a weapon airport officials use at not just the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Sarah’s husband who was with her as she recounted her ordeal also said he had suffered a similar molestation while passing through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. “Subjecting one to such harassment is a big shame on the Nigerian Immigration Service. I may not return anytime soon owing to this sad experience,” Mr. Effiong said.
