Nigeria Immigration Service in Akwa Ibom State, repatriated 32 persons of African origin for flouting immigration rules in 2012.

The command also refused 24 persons entry into the country within the period.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Effiom Effiom, a superintendent of NIS, said this in Uyo on Friday.

Eleven persons from Cameroon, six from Burkina Faso, three from the Gambia, two from Ghana and one each from Mali and Mauritania were among the repatriated persons.

The command, he added, within the period, also admitted 4,328 foreigners into Nigeria through authorised entry and exit points in the state.

He said, “The NIS has in 2012 deported home one Cameroonian on the order of the court, repatriated 32 nationals of African descents for various offences, ranging from lack of valid travel documents, overstaying their visitors permit and other infractions.

“The command had also admitted 4,328 persons into Nigeria and deported 4,738 through various authorised entry and exit points in the state.”

He stated that the command processed 7,199 applications for electronic passport within the period.

He explained that the command had evolved strategies to promote economic growth, tourism and internal security in line with the state government’s transformation agenda.

Effiom, who warned the people about a syndicate deceiving and swindling unsuspected Nigerians for employment into the Immigration, warned members of the public against their antics.

He said, “Consequently, the service wishes to state categorically that it is not recruiting neither has it mandated any person or persons/agents to collect money for employment purposes.

“The public is by this release advised not to patronise these fraudsters or have any dealings with these unscrupulous Nigerians.”