Nigeria Immigration Dismisses Officer Who Masterminded Abduction of Her Brother, Sanctions 31 Others
In a sweeping disciplinary move that underscores the federal government’s renewed push for integrity within Nigeria’s security and paramilitary institutions, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed Chukwu Nancy Ngozi, a junior officer found guilty of masterminding the abduction of her elder brother. The decision followed the conclusion of internal disciplinary proceedings that exposed shocking details of her involvement in a criminal conspiracy, theft, and illegal possession of firearms, alongside another dismissed officer, Aliyu Usman.
The NIS made the announcement in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI) Akinsola Akinlabi, who described the case as one of the most disturbing breaches of professional conduct the Service has handled in recent times. Akinlabi noted that the investigation, which began in early 2025, revealed a disturbing pattern of betrayal of public trust by the dismissed officers. “These acts are contrary to the discipline and ethical principles of the Immigration Service,” he stated, emphasizing that the Service will not tolerate criminal behaviour among its ranks.
According to the statement, the internal disciplinary process against Chukwu and her accomplice spanned several months and concluded between April 14 and September 4, 2025. The findings were later reviewed and endorsed by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) — the oversight body responsible for disciplinary actions in the paramilitary services. The board, chaired by the Minister of Interior, approved the dismissal after the Board’s Disciplinary and General-Purpose Committee (BDGPC) met on July 11, 2025, to deliberate on over thirty cases of misconduct involving officers of the NIS.
Akinlabi further revealed that the CDCFIB sanctioned a total of 31 officers in the latest round of disciplinary actions. Among these, eight officers were dismissed for gross misconduct, five were compulsorily retired, and eight others were demoted by one rank for lesser offences. Additionally, five personnel received written warnings, while three cases of appeal were reviewed—resulting in the reinstatement of one officer and the exoneration of two others. Two appeals were rejected for lack of merit.
He explained that these actions were taken in strict compliance with the Service’s internal regulations and disciplinary codes, designed to uphold accountability and maintain public confidence in Nigeria’s border management system. “The Service has zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of office, and acts that bring disrepute to the uniform,” Akinlabi reiterated.
The dismissed officer, Chukwu Nancy Ngozi, had earlier been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command in July 2025, alongside her biological sister, Juliet Chukwu, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Both were accused of masterminding the kidnapping of their elder brother, Mr. Friday Chukwu, a businessman based in Enugu. According to police investigations, the sisters conspired with a gang of kidnappers to abduct him along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that the sisters had demanded a ransom of ₦30 million, which was eventually paid before the victim was released. The arrest of the siblings drew widespread outrage across the country, as many Nigerians questioned how law enforcement officers sworn to protect citizens could become active participants in violent crimes.
Further investigations by the Enugu State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) revealed that the sisters had also been linked to the kidnapping of Mr. Dennis Igwe, the General Manager of China Oriental Mining Company, in the same locality. Reports indicated that they used insider information and access to official security communication channels to coordinate the abductions, providing logistical support to criminal gangs operating along the expressway.
The NIS PRO emphasized that the dismissal of Ngozi and her accomplice serves as a deterrent to other officers who may be tempted to abuse their position of authority for criminal gain. “The Service will continue to rid its ranks of bad elements whose actions tarnish the reputation of the organization and compromise national security,” Akinlabi asserted.
He added that Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has directed all Zonal and State Commands to strengthen internal surveillance, intelligence sharing, and personnel monitoring systems to detect misconduct early. The Comptroller General also ordered the creation of a special ethics compliance unit within the NIS to review sensitive cases involving personnel.
In response to the development, several civil society organizations and human rights groups commended the NIS for taking decisive action. The Centre for Accountability and Security Reform (CASR) described the dismissal as a “bold and necessary move” to restore discipline in the Service. “It sends a strong message that the era of impunity within the Nigerian security system must end,” the group said in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Abiola Shonubi.
However, some commentators argued that while disciplinary actions are commendable, they should be complemented with systemic reforms, particularly in recruitment and personnel screening. Security analyst Dr. Raymond Edeh suggested that the increasing cases of security agents participating in crimes highlight a deeper institutional rot. “The NIS, NSCDC, and even the police must go beyond punishment and focus on psychological evaluation, welfare improvement, and value reorientation,” he said.
He added that security institutions in Nigeria have historically struggled with the problem of insider threats—cases where officers exploit their training, weapons, or access to classified information to assist criminal networks. “What is happening now is a reflection of societal decay, not just a few bad eggs,” Dr. Edeh warned.
Meanwhile, internal sources within the NIS revealed that the dismissal of Ngozi and Usman followed a painstaking investigation that uncovered traces of money transfers, communication records, and weapon procurement trails linking them to the kidnapping. These findings were corroborated by forensic analysis and statements from co-conspirators arrested by the police.
Following her dismissal, Chukwu Ngozi has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for prosecution under relevant sections of the Criminal Code Act and the Firearms Act, while the NIS has initiated the process of recovering official property in her possession, including her service uniform and identification documents.
In Ebonyi State, where the dismissed officer hails from, community leaders of Amaeze village, Ishiagu, have expressed shock and disappointment. The traditional ruler of Ishiagu, HRH Eze Kenneth Ude, condemned the act, calling it a “deep stain on the community’s reputation.” He urged the federal government to prioritize ethics and background checks in the recruitment of personnel into all paramilitary agencies.
As the case continues to attract national attention, the NIS reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding the core values of integrity, discipline, and professionalism. “Our mission remains to safeguard Nigeria’s borders and protect her citizens. Anyone found to have betrayed that trust will be shown the way out,” Akinlabi concluded.
This latest action by the Immigration Service adds to a growing wave of accountability measures sweeping through Nigeria’s security institutions, following directives from the Ministry of Interior to cleanse the system of corruption and indiscipline. The Interior Minister has reportedly mandated periodic vetting of personnel and enhanced collaboration between the Immigration Service and anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC to track suspicious financial activities among officers.
For many Nigerians, this dismissal represents a long-overdue stance against the culture of impunity that has plagued the nation’s uniformed services for decades. However, observers insist that real change will only occur when punitive measures are complemented with institutional integrity-building programmes and consistent enforcement of ethical standards across all levels of governance.
Ultimately, the case of Officer Chukwu Nancy Ngozi serves as a tragic reminder of how the misuse of official power and familial betrayal can converge into a shocking act of criminality — and a stark lesson on why Nigeria’s security reforms must go beyond rhetoric to tangible, systemic transformation.
Source: LIB