The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has alleged that she was temporarily prevented from travelling abroad on Tuesday after immigration officials confiscated her international passport at an unnamed Nigerian airport.
In a Facebook Live video posted on Tuesday, the lawmaker was seen questioning immigration officers who, according to her, seized her passport without providing a clear explanation. The visibly upset senator described the action as an unlawful restriction of her movement and a violation of her constitutional rights.
“Hello, fellow Nigerians. I’m Senator Natasha. Having completed my second year in office, I decided to take a week off. I’m at the airport here, and my passport has been withheld again,” she said in the live broadcast.
She accused the officials of acting without legal justification, recalling that this was not the first time she had been subjected to such treatment.
“This is the second time this is happening to me. I have no pending court case, no travel restriction, and no reason for my passport to be seized. This is a violation of my fundamental rights,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
The Incident at the Airport
Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed that the senator was held for several minutes as immigration officers appeared to make calls to their superiors. In the live stream, Akpoti-Uduaghan could be heard insisting that the officials either provide a valid legal reason for withholding her passport or return it immediately.
Shortly after a brief exchange, the lawmaker revealed that her passport was eventually returned, allowing her to continue with her travel plans. However, she maintained that the action was “a clear case of harassment and intimidation.”
“They returned my passport only after I went live. This shows how power can be abused if citizens don’t stand up for their rights,” she said.
Reactions and Background
The development has sparked widespread reactions across social media, with many Nigerians condemning the incident and expressing concern over what they described as increasing cases of travel restriction without due process.
This is not the first time the Kogi senator has accused state institutions of attempting to intimidate her. In the past, Akpoti-Uduaghan has spoken openly about facing political persecution and harassment linked to her activism and election battles.
She made headlines in 2023 after winning a prolonged legal contest that led to her recognition as the duly elected senator for Kogi Central, defeating her rival from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since assuming office, she has been one of the most vocal legislators in the National Assembly, advocating for transparency, women’s rights, and good governance.
Immigration Service Yet to Comment
As of press time, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Attempts by journalists to reach NIS spokespersons for comments were unsuccessful.
However, a senior immigration source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, told reporters that the incident might have resulted from a “flagged system alert” or an administrative error.
“Sometimes, there are system flags linked to travel history or verification processes. It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a deliberate attempt to restrict movement. But the matter should have been handled more professionally,” the source said.
Legal and Constitutional Implications
Legal experts have weighed in on the senator’s claims, emphasizing that Nigerians have the constitutional right to freedom of movement, except where limited by a court order or national security directive.
Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout the country and to leave the country without hindrance.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), in a past commentary on similar incidents, noted that the immigration authorities cannot seize a citizen’s passport without a court order or clear evidence of an ongoing investigation.
“No security agency or immigration officer has the right to restrict a citizen’s travel unless there is a subsisting court order. Any such act is unlawful and unconstitutional,” Falana said.
Public Outcry and Political Undertones
Following the senator’s post, Nigerians took to social media platforms to express outrage, demanding accountability from the authorities. Many described the incident as part of a pattern of harassment faced by outspoken politicians, particularly women in leadership positions.
A social media user, @TheLegalEagleNG, wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is unacceptable. A sitting senator’s passport was seized without explanation. What about ordinary citizens who don’t have the platform to defend themselves?”
Another user, @NaijaWatchdog, commented:
“If there’s no court order, this is pure intimidation. Freedom of movement is a constitutional right.”
Political observers also noted that the incident could have political undertones, given Akpoti-Uduaghan’s past clashes with influential political figures in Kogi State and her history of confronting institutional injustices.
A Pattern of Harassment?
In 2022, before her Senate election victory, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that she was being targeted by political opponents and denied fair treatment by state agencies. During her campaign, she faced several obstacles, including alleged security threats and restrictions on her movement within Kogi State.
Her supporters argue that Tuesday’s airport incident fits a recurring pattern of attempts to intimidate strong female voices in Nigerian politics.
Calls for Investigation
Human rights organizations, including the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and Amnesty International Nigeria, have called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the senator’s brief detention.
The CLO, in a statement released Tuesday evening, said the incident raises serious questions about abuse of power and transparency within Nigeria’s border security operations.
“The authorities must clarify why a sitting senator’s passport was withheld without explanation. Nigerians deserve to know if this was an administrative issue or an act of targeted intimidation,” the group said.
Next Steps
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not disclosed whether she plans to take legal action against the immigration service. However, she maintained that she would continue to speak out against any abuse of authority.
“This is not just about me—it’s about every Nigerian whose rights can be trampled upon by those in power. We must all demand accountability,” she said.
Conclusion
The temporary seizure of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s passport has reignited national debate about citizens’ rights, political intimidation, and the powers of border authorities in Nigeria.
While the Nigeria Immigration Service has yet to clarify the reason behind the incident, the senator’s ordeal underscores broader concerns about due process and transparency within security and administrative institutions.
As public pressure mounts, observers say the government’s response to the matter will be a crucial test of its commitment to rule of law, democratic freedom, and respect for fundamental human rights.
