NIS Captures Biometrics Of 230 Applicants On Day One Of UK Passport Exercise

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it processed 230 applicants on the first day of its Special Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom, following a brief technical disruption at its Manchester Centre.

In an update posted on late Tuesday, the Service said the technical downtime temporarily disrupted biometric capturing, particularly at the Manchester Centre, but was promptly resolved.

It said all 230 applicants who had booked appointments were subsequently processed and had their biometrics captured.

The London Centre accounted for 90 applicants, while 140 were processed at the Manchester Centre.

The NIS acknowledged the patience and understanding of applicants, saying it remained committed to ensuring a seamless and efficient passport application process.

The update comes amid criticism from some Nigerians on social media over alleged confusion and poor organisation surrounding the exercise.

Some applicants and other Nigerians also questioned the timing and level of detail in the Service’s update, while others raised concerns about the accessibility of the centres and the arrangements for Nigerians travelling long distances for passport services.

The NIS, however, maintained that the technical challenge had been resolved and that the intervention exercise proceeded smoothly thereafter.

TVC News Online had earlier reported the commencement of the exercise was marred with complaints of poor organisation and the alleged locking out of applicants at the Manchester Centre.

The Owner of the premises where the process was to hold alleged he was not paid for the use of his hall prompting his action.

The coming days will be crucial as the Passport intervention exercise ramps up in the UK for Nigerians.