A dramatic incident at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has led to an official investigation by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, shows a woman, identified as Mrs. Favour Igiebor, angrily tearing up her husband’s Nigerian Standard Passport shortly after their arrival from abroad.
The video, which has since gone viral, captured the tense moment when Mrs. Igiebor shredded the passport, leaving the fragments scattered across the airport floor.
Her husband, who remained calm throughout the ordeal, quietly collected the torn pieces while onlookers, including airport officials, tried to deescalate the situation.
The scene has sparked a wave of reactions online, with many expressing shock and concern over the legality and implications of such actions.
In response to the incident, the NIS has launched a formal investigation.
According to a press release issued by the Service on Sunday, the Comptroller General of Immigration, KN Nandap, has directed that Mrs. Igiebor be invited for further questioning.
If the allegations against her are substantiated, her actions could be deemed a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), which carries corresponding penalties under Section 10(h) of the same Act.
The press release, signed by the NIS Service Public Relations Officer, DCI KT Udo, emphasized the importance of upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act, particularly in safeguarding the nation’s legal instruments and maintaining national security.
The NIS reiterated its commitment to ensuring that breaches of this nature are thoroughly investigated and addressed in accordance with the law.
The video of the incident was first posted by Nigerian social media user Chude Nnamdi on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where it quickly gained traction.
In the footage, Mrs. Igiebor can be heard confronting her husband with the words, “Is it your passport?” before expressing her frustration by saying, “If you want to sleep there, sleep there. This is Nigeria, this is where you will be.”
The reasons behind Mrs. Igiebor’s extreme actions remain unclear, and neither she nor her husband has provided an explanation.
However, the incident sparked a lively debate on social media platforms, with users weighing in on the legal ramifications of destroying a passport, which is considered government property.
Reactions to the video have been mixed. Some social media users, such as Yaya Oseni (@YayaOseni), expressed frustration over the destruction of the passport, questioning why no immediate arrest was made. Oseni pointed out that a passport is the property of the Nigerian government, and its destruction could be seen as a serious offense.
Others, like MUDIAGA (@Mudiaga247), criticized the handling of the situation by immigration officers and condemned Mrs. Igiebor’s actions as both inappropriate and potentially damaging to her marriage. Sir Chrys (@ChristogonusEh1) took a more legalistic view, arguing that the destruction of the passport constitutes a crime against federal property and calling for accountability from airport officials.
Bankole Ogungbade (@bankaulay) drew parallels between the destruction of the passport and the legal consequences for damaging national currency, suggesting that similar penalties should apply in this case. Teju Bayewumi (@tejubayes) was more direct, stressing that Mrs. Igiebor should be arrested for destroying government property.
There has also been speculation that the incident might have been staged for attention, with social media user Tosin Bamidele (@TosinBamidele8) questioning the couple’s motives and the authenticity of the situation.