An Abuja-based resident, Isaac Ben Etim, has accused officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) stationed at the #Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State, of alleged harassment and extortion involving his sister, Blessing.



Etim claimed that the officers initially demanded ₦2 million from his sister while she was travelling back to Mali, but later accepted ₦200,000 before allowing her to proceed.



Speaking during an interview on Friday, Etim explained that the incident occurred while his sister was returning to Mali after spending the festive season with family members in Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, repeated attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful until she later called to explain that she had been detained by immigration officers at the Seme border.

Etim stated that his sister arrived Nigeria on December 15, 2025, and had planned to return to Mali after the holidays. He said she informed him that officers at the Seme Command allegedly arrested and handcuffed her upon arrival at the border post.

He further explained that she presented all the travel documents she routinely uses for cross-border movement, including an Ambassade du Nigeria et Burkina Faso identity card and her National Identification Number (NIN), noting that the ID card had been renewed approximately three months earlier.

Etim alleged that despite presenting valid documents, the officers shifted focus to other accusations after confirming the authenticity of her papers.

He claimed that a female immigration officer accused his sister of travelling for immoral purposes, an allegation he said was not supported by any evidence.

According to Etim, the officer allegedly seized and searched his sister’s phone but found nothing incriminating. He said the situation escalated shortly after, with officers demanding a large sum of money in exchange for her release.

Etim alleged that the officers demanded ₦2 million, but after he explained his inability to raise such an amount, negotiations followed. He said the officers rejected ₦100,000 initially offered and eventually collected ₦200,000 before releasing his sister.

The allegations add to ongoing public concerns about the conduct of security personnel at Nigeria’s land borders, particularly regarding the treatment of travellers and enforcement practices.