No fewer than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) among other foreign currencies, credit cards and an Identification Number (ID) card belonging to a yet to be identified foreign passenger were retrieved last Sunday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos.
A reliable source within the airport’s border control sector who doesn’t not want its identity in print, because it doesn’t have the authority to speak on the issue, told our correspondent that the items were were discovered in a folder wallet at the Visa on Arrival (VoA) point of the command within the E-Wing Arrival section of the terminal building by an Immigration personnel simply identified as Omodayo Odewenwa, a Chief Immigration Assistant (CIA).
Further investigation by our correspondent revealed that Odewenwa has just been deployed from Ikoyi Passport Office to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos command of the service.
Our correspondent learnt that the command has since sent an email to the supposedly owner of the items, who as at the time of filing this report, was yet to come forward to claim the items.
The source said: “I learnt that an immigration officer last Sunday at the VoA E-Arrival Wing of the terminal building, retrieved a folder containing several foreign currencies, credit cards, ID card and other valuable items which are suspected to belong to a foreigner. Immediately the officer retrieved these items, he informed his superior at the wing, who immediately took action.
Our correspondent who confirmed the development through reliable sources within the command, reported that the issue has also been escalated to the Abuja headquarters of the service.
“So far, we have escalated the issue by sending an email to the supposed owner to come for his property, but we are yet to receive a response, But, we are hopeful that he will respond at the appropriate time,” the source insisted.
The source which assured that the items are in safe hands added that the challenge in getting to the supposedly owner is none availability of a phone number through which he could be contacted.
“There was no phone number on the documents. So, it is difficult for us to get across to him via telephone calls. However, I can assure you that the items are in safe hands,” the source affirmed.
The Comptroller, NIS, MMIA Lagos Command, Comptroller Adeola Adesokan who also confirmed the development to our correspondent on phone, commended the act of honesty displayed by the officer; emphasising that officers and men of the Command have been impacted with operational and attitudinal reforms in the recent time.
Comptroller Adeola who reiterated that the command would continue to perform its enshrined duties with utmost professionalism and dignity of purpose, also enjoined travelling public to always have confidence in interacting with the immigration personnel on duties; saying, “we are here to serve you.”
May we continue to see good, honest and reliable people like this in our public space. God bless you officer. You’re appreciated for giving our country good image