Outrage as immigration moves to discipline female officers who took part in social media challenge

The Nigeria Immigration Service is set to discipline three female officers who participated in a social media challenge known as “bopdaddy/don’t rush challenge.”

Participants wore “normal clothes” at the start of the video challenge but they later changed into more elegant attires after the camera of their phones were covered for a while.

Females from different parts of the world partook in the challenge.

In a query by the immigration authorities, the officers were accused of “indecently flaunting your bodies” and desecrating the service “uniform/beret and the use of inappropriate language thereby, sabotaging the values upheld by the service.”

“To state the obvious, your act has caused a lot of embarrassment to the NIS and in line with our standard as a paramilitary organization is considered scandalous and an act unbecoming of an officer and therefore a violation of PSR 030401 and 030402,” Iam Haliru, deputy comptroller-general, said in the query dated April 15.

“This is a serious misconduct liable to dismissal from service. In view of the foregoing, therefore, you are requested to make a representation, if any, within 72 hours on receipt of this letter, why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for violation of the following; PSR 030301 (a)(i) immoral behaviour, PSR 030402(t), PSR 030402(w) any other act unbecoming of a public officer.”

Another memo by deputy comptroller-general, asked the comptrollers of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Lagos state command to release the affected officers so that they would be able to report to the service’s human resource management at the headquarters in Abuja.

“They are to report to the office of the assistant comptroller-general in charge of human resource management at the service headquarters,” Haliru said in another memo dated April 14.

When contacted by TheCable, Sunday James, immigration spokesman, said he is not aware of any query issued to officers who participated in the challenge.

But there has been an outrage on social media. Some Twitter users faulted the action of the immigration, saying there are more important issues to tackle, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Below are some reactions:

https://twitter.com/dondekojo/status/1252207008448724994?s=19

After the video was released, they got a query from the Comptroller general threatening dismissal from service. pic.twitter.com/UG12fdqhgZ

— Ayobami (@dondekojo) April 20, 2020

Utter nonsense! Uk Female doctors did this challenge and it aired on BBC in positive light of female ethnic minority in medical profession …. always victimising our women, can’t see whats indecent in their outfits….smh

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— Ms Mamas (@ekiuwa08) April 20, 2020

If this is how he acted swiftly on the corruption in getting your passport or renewal.

You see, it seems this people deliberately don't want Nigeria a better place. How will you leave your main job to act on what is posted on Social Media. https://t.co/426NaPSIIo

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— R. A. (@arroshyd) April 20, 2020

Dear @nigimmigration, there is nothing immoral about this video. Infact, if anything it humanizes and creates a positive image of those in your uniforms.

Please withdraw the query you have issued and join Nigerians to celebrate these your good officers.

Thanks. https://t.co/FGmO5Zts9L

— Amara Nwankpa (@Nwankpa_A) April 20, 2020

How a lack of imagination blows a rare, positive, PR offer (opportunity) from self motivated staff. https://t.co/bHXkLPKZif

— Ai (@aikude) April 20, 2020

Must we do things differently? See beautiful ladies promoting the NIS and yet you are threatening dismissal. I pray to God to cure whoever is in charge ASAP. I never knew NIS folks can be this cool though 😎. Be like say these people head don Jam “graand” gbim. https://t.co/Ww8a2NjX7o

— Salt (@ibikunle_yo) April 20, 2020

Based on the initial query, only three (3) officers were asked to be released. Now, all five (5) officers in the video have been identified & asked to report to @nigimmigration Headquarters, Abuja.

These women must not lose their jobs for such an irrelevant reason. #Immigration5 https://t.co/pnmqm5Togg

— Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi (@AyodejiOsowobi) April 20, 2020

https://twitter.com/That_IjebuBadoo/status/1252208426161233920?s=19

collecting bribe and embarrassing themselves at the airport isn't enough embarrassment for them to tackle. They've got soft targets, they want to act professionally. Mtshew. This is what happens when the wrong folks are in power.

— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) April 20, 2020

The NIS could have used this video as a PR material. This video could pass as a message that despite them being member of a paramilitary service, they are humans and as such deliver their duties in the best humanly form. But nah, the leaders are deliberately dull.

— Mamuzo (@mamuzoadums) April 20, 2020