EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Immigration Officers In Boko Haram Theatre Allege Abandonment, Two Years Without Uniforms, Equipment | Sahara Reporters
The personnel, who spoke exclusively to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity because of fears of reprisals, also alleged intimidation, arbitrary detention, excessive use of force, denial of medical leave, withholding of allowances and favouritism in postings within the contingent.
Personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) deployed to the North-East under the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, Borno State, have alleged that they have been left without uniforms, operational equipment and adequate welfare support for nearly two years despite serving in one of the country’s most dangerous security theatres.
Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian military’s joint counter-insurgency task force in the Northeast, headquartered at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State. It operates primarily across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, with a mandate to combat Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, restore regional security, and protect civilian lives.
The personnel, who spoke exclusively to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity because of fears of reprisals, also alleged intimidation, arbitrary detention, excessive use of force, denial of medical leave, withholding of allowances and favouritism in postings within the contingent.
According to the personnel, some of the alleged abuses are being perpetrated at lower command levels, particularly within the Provost unit, without adequate oversight from the senior command.
The personnel identified the Component Provost as CIA Imoriafe II and Inspector Abdullahi Adamu Mohammed as his second-in-command.
One of the personnel told SaharaReporters that the prolonged lack of basic kits and welfare support has left officers feeling abandoned despite their deployment to a high-risk operational environment.
“For almost two years, we have been serving in the North-East without receiving a single uniform or adequate operational gear from the Service,” the officer said. “We are working in a high-risk environment, yet we have been left to fend for ourselves. We look and feel abandoned.”
The personnel said the situation is particularly troubling because officers are expected to perform security-related duties alongside other personnel deployed under Operation Hadin Kai.
They alleged that the absence of basic operational equipment has affected their morale and ability to perform their duties effectively.
Alleged Arbitrary Detention, Intimidation
The personnel also accused the Provost unit of using detention and intimidation as tools to silence officers who raise concerns or challenge alleged misconduct.
They alleged that some personnel are routinely detained at the 212 Battalion guard room without being formally charged or subjected to due process.
A source alleged that the Provost structure has become a source of fear among some personnel serving with the contingent.
“The Provost unit is being used to instil fear and terror in personnel. People are detained at the 212 Battalion guard room without being properly informed of the allegations against them or given due process,” the Immigration source said.
Another source alleged that the situation has created an atmosphere in which personnel are afraid to openly complain about their welfare or treatment.
The personnel further alleged that members of the Provost unit sometimes resort to excessive force during arrests and detentions.
They called for an independent investigation into the conduct of the unit and the circumstances surrounding the detention of personnel.
Alleged Withholding Of Theatre Allowance
The NIS personnel also alleged that their monthly Habit Allowance, which they said was due to officers serving in the theatre, had been withheld or delayed.
They said the alleged failure to release the allowance has compounded the hardship faced by personnel already struggling with inadequate welfare support.
“We are serving in an active theatre, but our allowances are not being paid as and when due. Some of us have families and financial responsibilities back home,” one of the affected personnel said.
“When the allowance is withheld or delayed, it puts additional pressure on personnel who are already working under difficult conditions.”
The personnel urged the relevant authorities to conduct an audit of the allowance payments to determine whether any outstanding payments were being withheld and to ensure that all legitimate entitlements were released.
The personnel also raised concerns over what they described as the alleged denial of medical leave to officers suffering from serious health conditions.
According to the sources, some personnel who require treatment outside the theatre have allegedly been required to remain on duty instead of being allowed to return home for proper medical attention.
One source said: “There are personnel with serious health challenges who have been denied permission to go home for proper treatment. They are being made to continue their duties even when they are sick. This is dangerous because these are human beings serving the country.”
The personnel said the alleged practice could endanger the health and lives of officers and called for an immediate review of medical leave requests by qualified personnel.
The sources also alleged favouritism in the deployment and posting of personnel within the contingent.
They accused the Admin Officer of using his position to secure favourable postings for individuals considered loyal to him and for personnel from his home state, while allegedly sidelining others.
“Postings are not being handled fairly. There is a perception among personnel that people who are close to those in authority, or who come from the same state, receive better postings, while others are deliberately disadvantaged,” one of the sources said.
The personnel called for an independent review of posting records to determine whether established procedures were followed in the deployment and reassignment of officers.
The personnel said they believe the Component Commander may not be aware of the full extent of the alleged problems within the contingent.
According to them, several of the alleged actions are being carried out at lower levels of command without sufficient supervision.
“The Component Commander may not be aware of everything that is happening. A lot of these things are happening at the lower levels. That is why we want the senior authorities to investigate independently and speak directly to personnel,” a source said.
The sources said they had resorted to speaking out because they believed internal channels had failed to adequately address their complaints.
The aggrieved NIS personnel called on the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Chief of Defence Staff and the National Human Rights Commission to urgently investigate their allegations.
They demanded the immediate provision of uniforms, operational equipment and welfare packages for personnel deployed to the theatre.
They also called for an independent investigation into the activities of the Provost unit; a review of posting procedures; approval of medical leave for personnel with genuine health conditions; the release of anyone allegedly being detained without due process; and payment of outstanding theatre allowances.
“We joined the Service to serve the nation. We are ready to do our jobs, but we cannot serve effectively when we are abandoned, intimidated, when our health is neglected and when our legitimate entitlements are denied,” one of the sources said.
The personnel said they are not seeking preferential treatment but want the Service to provide the basic welfare, equipment and protections required for officers deployed to a high-risk operational environment.
SaharaReporters reached out to the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, for comment on the allegations made by the affected service personnel. He said he was out of the office but promised to respond in due course. However, he had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.