The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cautioned Nigerians against using fraudulent platforms for passport payments.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Akinsola Akinlabi, the service public relations officer described claims linking a religious organisation to the passport payment system as “false and misleading.”
He maintained that the passport application process remains secure, transparent, and fully government-approved, stressing that it is accessible only through the agency’s official portal.
“The service has not authorised any religious body, private organisation or individual to act as an intermediary or receive payments on its behalf,” he said.
Akinlabi warned that any platform or link claiming to process passport payments outside the official system should be treated as fraudulent, urging Nigerians to avoid such channels.
He disclosed that the NIS had commenced investigations into the source of the allegations, noting that early findings pointed to individuals attempting to mislead the public or tarnish the agency’s reputation.
The spokesperson added that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on those found culpable, reiterating that the service operates strictly within government financial regulations and works only with accredited payment providers listed on its platform.
He further warned that any payments made outside approved channels would be at the user’s risk, stating that the NIS would not be liable for losses arising from such transactions.
The agency urged Nigerians at home and abroad to remain vigilant, use only official platforms, and avoid unauthorised agents, assuring continued efforts to strengthen its systems against fraud and abuse.
