- Nigeria Immigration Service invites her for questioning
- Watch videos of her action and defence
While the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Monday said it has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media, showing a female traveller tearing a Nigerian Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos over the weekend, the woman in the eye of the storm, identified as Ella Jeffery, has said the pressure she had borne in marriage over the years made her do it.
In a video posted on the couple’s family Facebook page, (jejojafamilytv), Ella Jeffery said her action was the culmination of long-standing marital and family tensions.
“I am not a mad woman,” she said, waving aside the impression that her actions were irrational or impulsive.
She explained that she has been enduring significant stress in the marriage, particularly due to her husband’s close ties with his family, which she described as overbearing.
“I have been going through a lot, and He’s a mummy’s boy, sister’s boy. I did what I did. Nobody can arrest me. I suffered with him,” Ella explained.
She implied that she had to stand up for herself, warning people who watched the video and judged her based on the short clip not to jump to conclusions without asking relevant questions as to what must have led her into such action.
“The issue has been going on for a very long time, I have just been dancing to the tune till I arrive in my motherland, Nigeria, and I did what I did.
“You have to ask what happened, don’t just look at the action alone, I am not a mad woman, who would just come and act like that. I have my reasons, I have gone through many things.
“When it gets to your neck, you have to act. I didn’t want to make him go through a lot of stress, that’s why I waited till we got to Nigeria to do it rather than Europe where I could have done it. Don’t make comments without knowing what happened. I have gone through a lot of family issues here and there.
“I cannot be suffering, I suffered with him, and just like that, they want my suffering to be chartered away just like that.
“Is it till when I die, will you people know this woman did not speak out? Actions speak louder than words, I gave him my action, to know I have been bearing it.”
However, Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Kenneth Udo disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja that the lady has been identified and invited for further investigation.
“If the allegations are substantiated, her actions would have constituted a breach of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), with corresponding penalties outlined under Section 10(h) of the same Act.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security, and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments”, he stated.
Watch the videos below.
