EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Immigration Officers In Boko Haram Theatre Allege Abandonment, Two Years Without Uniforms, Equipment

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 abandoned without uniforms, operational equipment and adequate welfare support for nearly two years.

The officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of reprisals, said the prolonged shortage of basic kits and equipment has left them struggling to perform their duties effectively despite being deployed to one of Nigeria’s most dangerous security theatres.

Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian military’s joint counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, with its headquarters at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. The operation covers Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states and is primarily tasked with combating Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, restoring security and protecting civilians.

According to the affected immigration personnel, some officers have reportedly gone almost two years without receiving a single uniform or adequate operational gear from the Service. They said the situation is particularly troubling because they are expected to carry out security-related responsibilities in an active theatre of insurgency.

Beyond the alleged shortage of uniforms and equipment, the personnel also raised several complaints about their treatment within the contingent. They alleged intimidation, arbitrary detention, excessive use of force, denial of medical leave, delayed or withheld theatre allowances and favouritism in the posting of officers.

The officers specifically raised concerns about the activities of the Provost unit, alleging that personnel who complain about their welfare or challenge alleged misconduct can face intimidation or detention. They identified the Component Provost as CIA Imoriafe II and Inspector Abdullahi Adamu Mohammed as his second-in-command.

The personnel further alleged that some officers have been detained at the 212 Battalion guard room without being formally charged or given adequate opportunity to understand the allegations against them. They called for an independent investigation into the alleged detentions and the conduct of the Provost unit.

The affected officers also alleged that their monthly theatre-related allowance, which they said is due to personnel serving in the operational area, has been withheld or delayed. According to them, the alleged failure to pay the allowance on time has increased the financial pressure on officers who are already serving under difficult conditions and supporting families away from the theatre.

Another major concern raised by the personnel was the alleged denial of medical leave to officers suffering from serious health conditions. They claimed that some personnel who require treatment outside the theatre have allegedly been made to remain on duty instead of being allowed to return home for proper medical attention.

The officers also alleged favouritism in postings within the contingent, claiming that some individuals considered close to those in authority or from the same state as senior officials receive more favourable assignments. They called for an independent review of posting records to determine whether established procedures were followed.

The personnel said they believe the Component Commander may not be fully aware of the alleged problems, claiming that several of the issues are occurring at lower levels of command. They therefore appealed directly to senior authorities to investigate the allegations independently and speak with personnel serving in the theatre.

The aggrieved officers called on the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Chief of Defence Staff and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate their complaints. They demanded the immediate provision of uniforms and operational equipment, improved welfare, payment of outstanding allowances, proper handling of medical leave requests and an investigation into alleged detention without due process.

Street News Reporters understands that the NIS personnel said they were not seeking preferential treatment but basic welfare, equipment and protection necessary to perform their duties in a high-risk operational environment. The NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, was contacted for a response to the allegations and reportedly said he was out of the office and would respond, but no response had been received at the time of the report’s publication.