Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, were reportedly denied access to a venue where the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, was scheduled to attend to passport applications on Monday after the Lebanese owner alleged he had not been paid.
The incident was reported by Nigerians who were at the venue of the exercise, with posts shared on X alleging that the venue owner refused to allow applicants into the centre and complained about the lack of security.
The NIS had organised the exercise to attend to outstanding passport applications and renewals for Nigerians in the UK.
Applicants at the venue said only a few people were attended to several hours after the exercise commenced.
One applicant, in a post on X, said the venue owner told those present that he had not received payment and that there was no staff or security at the centre.
“He said he hasn’t been paid, no staff, no security. 3 people attended to in 1 hour,” the applicant wrote.
UK police were reportedly called to the venue during the incident.
The NIS has not reacted to the alleged payment dispute or the complaints over security and staffing as of the time of filing this report.
Watch video
NIS passport: Venue owner allegedly denies Nigerians entry over unpaid fees in Manchester