Nigerian Immigration Officers Accused of Arresting, Extorting Youths Travelling to Visit Nnamdi Kanu, Abandoning Them in Zamfara

 Nigerian Immigration Officers Accused of Arresting, Extorting Youths Travelling to Visit Nnamdi Kanu, Abandoning Them in Zamfara

Three Nigerian youths travelling from Kano to Sokoto to visit detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, have accused officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) of unlawful arrest, extortion, and abandonment in Zamfara State.

According to the victims, the incident occurred on Sunday when immigration officers stopped their vehicle at the Zamfara State border. They were reportedly detained for about seven hours, searched, and interrogated despite explaining that they were travelling to Sokoto.

One of the victims, who identified himself as Cruise Naija, said officers accused them of attempting to travel illegally to Libya. He explained that the situation worsened after officers allegedly found photos of him with activist Omoyele Sowore and other activists on his phone, leading them to label him an activist and seize his phone.

The youths claimed they were denied access to make phone calls to inform family members of their whereabouts. They further alleged that immigration officers demanded ₦200,000, plus ₦30,000 for transport, before allowing them to continue their journey. After prolonged negotiations, the amount was reportedly reduced to ₦50,000, which they still could not afford.

According to the victims, two female travellers at the checkpoint allegedly paid ₦230,000 after being pressured by the officers. Eventually, the three youths said a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator was brought in, and they were forced to transfer ₦30,000.

Shockingly, after leaving the checkpoint, the driver reportedly stopped and claimed he was only given ₦3,000, leaving the youths stranded in Zamfara without money. They said they had to call people for assistance to continue their journey.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters reportedly captured moments of their detention by immigration officials. The incident has sparked renewed concerns over alleged abuse of power, extortion, and human rights violations by security agencies along Nigerian highways.