The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has alerted the public to the growing use of fraudulent platforms posing as official channels for passport payments.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, dismissed reports linking any religious organisation to the passport payment process, describing such claims as false and misleading.
He emphasised that the passport application and payment system remains secure, transparent, and strictly regulated by the government, noting that all transactions must be carried out exclusively through the NIS official portal.
According to him, the agency has not authorised any religious group, private entity, or individual to act as an intermediary or collect payments on its behalf.
Akinlabi cautioned Nigerians to treat any website, link, or platform requesting passport payments outside the official system as fraudulent and to avoid engaging with such channels.
He revealed that investigations have already begun to trace the origin of the misinformation, adding that preliminary findings suggest deliberate attempts by some individuals to mislead the public and damage the agency’s reputation.
The NIS spokesperson stated that anyone found responsible would face appropriate sanctions, reiterating that the Service operates in line with government financial regulations and only partners with accredited payment providers listed on its platform.
He further warned that the agency would not be held responsible for any financial losses resulting from transactions made through unauthorised platforms.
The Service urged Nigerians both at home and abroad to remain vigilant, use only approved channels, and steer clear of unauthorised agents, while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening systems to prevent fraud and abuse.
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