Tension is rising across the South East following reports that the region’s only passport production centre, located in Enugu, has been shut down, with production equipment allegedly being removed under a directive from the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Leaders and stakeholders from the South East have now been urged to urgently intervene to prevent what many fear could become a full-scale administrative shutdown that would cripple passport services for millions of residents across the region.
Investigations revealed that passport production at the Enugu State Zonal Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been halted, amid claims that the action was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Reports indicate that the facility may be completely disconnected later tonight, effectively cutting off the South East from local passport production.
A senior official of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Enugu, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development with visible concern. According to the source, a team of technical personnel allegedly dispatched from Abuja arrived at the centre and commenced the removal of passport production machines, a move described as devastating for the region.
The official disclosed that once the machines are removed, no passport—regular or emergency—can be produced anywhere in the South East, leaving residents with no option but to travel outside the region.
With the shutdown, all emergency passport processing is expected to be relocated to Abuja, meaning applicants from Abia, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, and Anambra states will no longer have access to urgent passport services within their geopolitical zone.
The source warned that unless immediate action is taken, applicants with urgent travel needs may be stranded within the next 10 hours, worsening hardship for students, medical travelers, businesspersons, and others with time-sensitive international engagements.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the Ministry of Interior has issued an official statement, fueling anxiety and outrage across the region, as many describe the development as discriminatory and economically damaging.
The unfolding situation has sparked calls for swift political, legislative, and diplomatic intervention to avert what observers describe as a complete administrative blackout of passport services in the South East.
