A routine passport exercise by the Nigeria Immigration Service in Manchester turned chaotic on Monday when the venue owner reportedly refused entry to Nigerian applicants, claiming he had not received payment for hosting the event. The Lebanese proprietor also complained about inadequate security arrangements at the facility.
Nigerians who travelled to the venue for passport applications and renewals found themselves locked out. Only three people were reportedly attended to within the first hour of the exercise. Why would officials schedule such a critical service without confirming payment and logistics?
One frustrated applicant shared details on social media platform X, explaining that the venue owner explicitly stated he hadn’t been paid and that there were no staff or security personnel present. UK police were eventually called to the scene as tensions escalated among the stranded applicants.
The NIS had organised the exercise specifically to clear outstanding passport applications and renewals for Nigerians living in the United Kingdom. Yet the planning appears to have fallen short on basic operational requirements.
As of this report, the Nigeria Immigration Service has not issued any statement addressing the payment dispute allegations or explaining the reported security and staffing deficiencies that marred the exercise.
You May Like
Leave a comment