Passport Crisis: Nigerians Locked Out Of Manchester Venue
Nigerians seeking passport services in Manchester, United Kingdom, were reportedly stranded after a venue owner allegedly denied them entry over unpaid fees.
The incident occurred on Monday as applicants arrived for a passport exercise organised by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The exercise was designed to process outstanding passport applications and renewals for Nigerians living in the United Kingdom.
According to applicants, the Lebanese owner of the facility allegedly refused to open the venue, claiming payment for its use remained outstanding.
Some Nigerians at the centre took to X to report the situation, alleging that the development disrupted the scheduled passport exercise.
Applicants also complained about inadequate staffing and security, saying only a few people had been attended to several hours after the exercise began.
One applicant alleged that the venue owner told those present he had not received payment for the facility.
“He said he hasn’t been paid, no staff, no security. Three people attended to in one hour,” the applicant wrote on X.
The reported disruption left several applicants frustrated, particularly those who had travelled to the centre for their passport applications or renewals.
UK police were reportedly called to the venue following the dispute.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has not publicly addressed the alleged payment dispute or complaints concerning security and staffing.
The agency had also not clarified whether the exercise would continue at the affected venue as of the time of filing this report.
