Nigerians react to ex-minister's arrest over immigration fraud

A former minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the 2014 immigration recruitment scam which resulted in the death of about 20 job seekers across the country.

Many Nigerians have reacted over the arrest of the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro.

Ibrahim Babangida said it is sad to see the same set of people who called for the sack of Moro during the Nigeria Immigration Service job scam saying his arrest is an All Progressive Congress (APC) witch-hunt.

A Nigerian lawyer, Bunmi Ogundele said he is happy with the arrest adding that it will serve as a deterrence for those who hold public offices.

The former minister’s arrest is also over the ‘disappearance’ of N600 million realised from the online registration by Nigerian job seekers who enrolled for the failed immigration recruitment in 2014.

Candidates had paid N1000 each through a company said to have been engaged by a top politician and officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

A former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Anastasia Nwaobia, and a deputy director who allegedly facilitated the scam were also arrested.

Nigerians had demanded the resignation or dismissal of Moro and the Controller-General of Immigration, David Parradang, as well as their criminal prosecution for involuntary homicide.

Moro was interrogated for 10 hours on Tuesday, and has been granted administrative bail.