The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Isah Jere, has been ordered to retire by the federal government through the NIS’s governing board.
The order was stated in a letter dated April 17, 2023, and bearing the code number
CDCFIB/APPT.CG&DCG/61/VOL.IV/ 74. It was signed by Obasi Edmond, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, at the request of Board Chairman and Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
In the letter, Jere was given the directive to turn over the position of Deputy Comptroller General to the most senior Officer no later than April 24, 2023, while waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a new Comptroller General.
The letter titled “Notification of expiration of one-year extension in office as acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service” reads: “I write to draw your attention to the end of one-year extension in office granted to you by Mr President via letter no. SH/COS/42/3/3/A128 date April 22, 2022, and which would be expiring on April 24, 2023.
“Consequently, you are directed to hand over to the most senior Deputy Comptroller-General on or before Monday, April 24, 2023, pending Mr President’s appointment of a substantive Comptroller-General of the Service.
“The board is grateful to you for your immense contributions to the Nigeria Immigration Service and to the country and wishes you success in your future endeavours.“
The outgoing NIS bods was accused of trying to obtain another extension of his stay with the Service prior to the government directive.
Should the Federal Government renew his tenure, some Service officers had threatened to stage a protest.
Ada Peter