The Ministry of Interior has vowed to investigate the allegations against Babangida Tanko, an assistant comptroller at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

This comes after FIJ reported that a certain banker in Abuja accused Tanko of defrauding him of N1.2 million in the name of helping his relatives get jobs in the NIS.

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Tanko had told FIJ that he was the Special Assistant to Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, on Wednesday, but in a press statement dated March 31, Amos Okpu, the NIS Public Relations Officer, said Tanko is not working with the minister.

“The acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, wishes to use this medium to state that Babangida Tanko, though a personnel of the service, is not an aide to the Minister of Interior,” the statement reads in part.

“He has ordered an investigation into the allegation with a view to unravelling his level of culpability for necessary disciplinary actions. He therefore, wishes to reiterate that recruitment exercises into the Service are usually publicised in the media, including the service’s website.

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“The service is in receipt of a trending media report that one Babangida Tanko who claimed to be an aide to the Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, is involved in employment racketeering.

“The report alleged that the said Mr. Tanko collected sums of money from unsuspecting members of the public with the promise of securing job placements for then into the service.

“The acting Comptroller General of Immigration Isah Jere Idris wishes to use this medium to state that Mr. Babangida Tanko though a personnel of the service, is not an aide to the Minister of Interior and so the alleged actions do not represent what the service or ministry stands for. He has ordered an investigation into the allegation with a view to unraveling his level of culpability for necessary disciplinary actions.

“He therefore, wishes to reiterate that recruitment exercises into the service are usually publicized in the media including the service’s website. Interested applicants are required to apply via a dedicated online platform and due selection processes including computer-based examination and physical screening conducted before successful candidates are formally notified.

“The public is hereby enjoined to discountenance any promises for job placements into the service by anyone to avoid being swindled by criminal elements who are out there to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.”