Photo: Senator Natasha
By: Daniel Kanu
Editor
The Action Collective, a pro-democracy advocacy group, has condemned the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over the alleged harassment and passport seizure of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on the morning of Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
According to reports, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, was on her way to London when Immigration officers intercepted her and seized her international passport without justification.
The group described the incident as “unwarranted, illegal, and a gross embarrassment to the country’s image.”
In a statement signed by National Coordinator Teddy Onyejuwe, Action Collective stated that the action by Immigration officers was an affront to the senator’s fundamental human rights and a deliberate attempt to humiliate a distinguished public servant
Action Collective called on the Comptroller-General of Immigration and the Minister of Interior to:
” Investigate the incident, Discipline the officers involved, and Tender an unreserved public apology to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
The group also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to reform the operational conduct of security and border control agencies to prevent further acts of impunity.
Part of the statement reads:
“We find it deeply troubling and totally unacceptable that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has consistently shown respect for the rule of law by honouring all court appearances, could be subjected to such degrading and humiliating treatment by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“This action, in the absence of any court order or valid directive from a competent authority, is a flagrant abuse of power, a reckless overreach of official duty, and an unnecessary embarrassment to the nation.
“Harassing a sitting senator without any legal basis sends a very dangerous message to the world—that our institutions have little or no regard for due process and the dignity of citizens.
“It is shameful that an elected representative of the people could be treated in such a disrespectful and unlawful manner at an international airport, especially when there is no subsisting travel restriction or court order against her.
“The image of Nigeria must not be dragged into disrepute by the reckless actions of a few overzealous officers.
“We stand firmly with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and demand that her rights, dignity, and reputation be fully restored without delay.”
