Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Passport Briefly Seized at Abuja Airport Amid Travel Scare

On Wednesday morning at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s international passport was temporarily seized by Nigerian immigration officers, causing a brief travel scare before she boarded a British Airways flight bound for London.

Eyewitnesses reported that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, arrived at the international terminal with her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, only to be stopped by immigration officials who flagged her as a “national security risk.” The incident took place in the early hours of July 24, 2025, just moments before boarding for the London flight was set to begin.

Despite the sudden detention of her travel documents, the senator reportedly remained calm and composed, firmly asserting her legal rights. “The court never authorised this. You have no right to hold my passport,” she told the officers, urging them to allow her through.

Sources at the airport revealed that the directive to seize her passport came from the Controller General of Immigration, allegedly under instructions from the Senate President. No official explanation was offered to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan at the time, raising concerns about potential political interference.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, Chief Uduaghan was observed making urgent phone calls to resolve the matter. Within minutes, the senator’s passport was returned without any formal justification, allowing her to clear immigration and board the flight on schedule.

The incident has sparked concerns about the possible misuse of security agencies for political ends, with critics describing the episode as an unnecessary embarrassment and a troubling example of institutional power abuse. To date, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the office of the Senate President has commented on the episode.