A mild drama unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, today when immigration officers briefly seized the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, preventing her from boarding a London-bound flight.
The Kogi Central senator was reportedly stopped at the departure checkpoint by immigration personnel who cited unspecified “security orders” and tagged her a “national security risk.” The move led to a short standoff as the lawmaker challenged the legality of the action.
Sources at the airport told Rooted Scope Media that Senator Natasha remained calm but insisted that the officers had no legal right to confiscate her passport, pointing out that there was no court directive barring her from travel.
Her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, was seen making urgent calls as the delay lingered. However, after a few minutes of tension, the passport was returned and the senator was cleared to board her British Airways flight.
The incident has since triggered public outcry, with observers describing it as a potential case of political intimidation and abuse of power by security agencies. Critics say the development raises fresh concerns over due process and the arbitrary use of national security claims.
Neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the Office of the Senate President had issued an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
The controversy has further fueled debate over the balance between state security and citizens’ rights, especially in cases involving elected public officials.
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