“Minister of Interior Alleges Foreign Nationals Are Using Nigerian Passports for Crimes Abroad”

In a bold revelation, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has shed light on a growing concern affecting Nigeria’s international reputation. Taking to the official Nigerian Stories X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Minister asserted that many crimes abroad, often attributed to Nigerians, are in fact perpetrated by foreigners in possession of Nigerian passports.

Tunji-Ojo’s statement highlights a troubling dimension of identity misuse and passport fraud. According to him, this disturbing trend tarnishes the image of the nation while unfairly implicating its citizens in crimes they did not commit.

“Our investigation reveals that most crimes credited to Nigerians abroad are actually committed by foreigners using Nigerian passports,” Tunji-Ojo stated firmly. He called for immediate global awareness about the misuse of Nigeria’s travel documents and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing this menace.

The Minister also hinted at plans to tighten Nigeria’s passport issuance and monitoring processes. “We are taking proactive steps to ensure that our passports are only issued to deserving Nigerians and that all forms of abuse are curtailed,” he added.

This revelation underscores the urgent need for improved security and technology in Nigeria’s passport system. Experts have long called for biometric advancements and stricter vetting procedures to curb forgery and unauthorized access to Nigerian travel documents.

As Nigeria battles this crisis on the international stage, Tunji-Ojo’s remarks have sparked heated debates online. Citizens and stakeholders alike are demanding accountability from authorities and urging the government to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s global image.

This is not the first time the issue of passport fraud has come to light, but with the Minister of Interior’s direct involvement, there is renewed hope for concrete actions to reclaim the country’s reputation.

Could this be a turning point in the fight against identity fraud? Time will tell, but one thing is clear—Tunji-Ojo has sent a strong message: Nigeria will not allow its name to be dragged through the mud by external actors exploiting its identity.