NIS Officer Accused of Multiple Rapes at Badagry Border

LAGOS — Severe allegations of sexual violence and gross misconduct have hit the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) following a chilling account by a 21-year-old woman who claims she was detained and repeatedly raped by an officer at the Akere checkpoint in Badagry.

​The survivor, identified as Ben Bright Friday, a native of Akwa Ibom State, detailed a four-day nightmare that began on Friday, January 16, 2025. What was meant to be a routine trade journey from Port Harcourt to Porto Novo, Benin Republic, reportedly turned into a cycle of torture and sexual predation at the hands of an official she identified as Isa Makama.

​Details of the Ordeal

​According to reports initially surfaced by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Friday’s bus was intercepted at the third immigration post in Akere. While other passengers were allowed to proceed, she and another woman were ordered to disembark.

​Friday alleges that Makama initiated a “violent interrogation,” during which he slapped and flogged her, even as colleagues reportedly looked on or attempted to intervene. The situation escalated when she was allegedly forced into nudity under the guise of an investigation into her travel motives.

​“He told me ‘thank you’ after he was done and warned me not to let others know,” Friday recounted, describing the first night of the assault. She further alleged that the abuse continued through the weekend, claiming she was forced to endure repeated sexual acts under the threat of further torture.

ADVERTISEMENT

​A Desperate Plea for Help

​The survivor’s account includes a harrowing detail of her attempt to stop the assaults: she reportedly cut her own palm with a razor blade to smear blood on a sanitary pad, hoping to trick the officer into believing she was menstruating. According to her testimony, the officer ignored the ruse and continued the abuse using protection.

​Following four days of detention, Friday was allegedly handed over to an intermediary and moved to different locations before finally being dropped off at Mile 2 in Lagos. She claims her personal belongings, including her phone and trade goods, were confiscated and remain in the possession of the officers.

​Denials and Official Silence

​When confronted with the allegations, the officer in charge of the Akere post, Isa Makama, dismissed the claims as a blackmail attempt by human traffickers.

​“I rescue victims of trafficking and reunite them with their parents,” Makama stated via WhatsApp, asserting that Friday was a trafficking victim and that he possessed video evidence of her interrogation. He denied any sexual misconduct occurred.

​As of the time of publication, the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja has not issued an official statement regarding the conduct of its officers at the Badagry axis or the specific allegations leveled against Makama.

​The incident has sparked a firestorm of outrage among human rights advocates, who are calling for an independent forensic investigation into the Akere checkpoint operations and the immediate suspension of the accused officers.