Nigeria - Boko Haram Invades Immigration Office

Boko Haram Thursday invaded the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Office in Damaturu, Yobe state capital, carting away six international (Nigerian) passports during the operation.

Similarly, a lone gunman suspected to be members of Boko Haram was arrested inside the popular Baga fish market in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Reacting to the incident, the Comptroller-General of NIS, Mrs. Rose Uzoma, urged members of the public to be on the lookout for the six passports that have been declared missing. Their numbers are A02915421, A0295422, A0295423, A02915428, A02915472, and A02915473.

Speaking through a statement signed by the Superintendent of Immigration (Public Relations Unit), Mr. Mohammed Musa, Uzoma, warned that any member of the public who is found in possession of the missing passports (without reporting or handing them over to the relevant authorities) would be prosecuted.

The statement read: “The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs. Rose Uzoma, has directed to inform the general that the under-listed six passport have been declared missing as a result of  the suspected Boko Haram vandalisation of the Passport Office, Damaturu, Yobe State.

“The management of the Service wishes to warn the general public that any person found in possession of any of the missing e-passports shall be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The immigration boss however advised any person wishing to acquire e-passport to still go to the NIS passport offices spread across the various state capitals of the country.

Meanwhile, THISDAY gathered that the suspected gunman had come into the market at about 1p.m. with the intention of killing someone.

The gunman, who was dressed in a flowing gown was about pulling out his gun when he was wrestled down by some traders.

In the process several gunshots were released which made many to scamper for safety.

The gunshots drew the attention of the soldiers to the scene and the gunman was finally suppressed and taken away.

It would be recalled that about four months ago at the same market a goat-seller was killed by another suspected sect members in day light.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed, in a statement to journalists, said: “The task force with the assistance of traders arrested a gun man suspected to be members of the Boko Haram who entered the market to kill innocent people.”

He commended the effort and 'gallantry' displayed by the people at the market which led to the arrest of the gunman, adding that the people have displayed that security is a collective responsibility.

“They (traders) have displayed that security is a collective responsibility and that the sect members are not invisible as they now choose to operate in markets and highly concentrated areas,” Mohammed added.

He enjoined other members of the public to emulate this effort and team up with security forces to ensure a lasting peace in the state.

By Senator Iroegbu and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri