Senator Natasha Hits Back at Immigration Over Airport Passport Row

A Nigerian lawmaker has accused top Senate bosses of blocking her trip abroad by ordering officials to grab her travel papers at an airport. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who speaks for Kogi Central, faced the hold-up on Tuesday at Abuja’s main flight hub while heading out for a short rest after two years on the job.

In a live clip shared online, the senator vented her anger at the move, calling it a clear block on her freedom to travel with no legal reason or court ban in place. She said it echoed a past hassle and blamed Senate head Godswill Akpabio for telling officers to stop her, claiming her chats with foreign press harm the nation’s good name whenever she leaves.

The senator begged for outside help to end what she sees as ongoing bullying and shame, pointing to her recent win against a months-long ban from work after a big row with leaders over her seat in meetings. That freeze ended in September, and she just got back to her desk two weeks ago, jumping into new law tweaks last week.

Airport staff let her go soon after the face-off, handing back the passport without much delay. A voice for the border control team brushed off her story as just a standard spot-check that wrapped up fast. He laughed at the idea of Senate meddling, asking what lawmakers had to do with their daily duties.

Tries to hear from the Senate chief through his team drew no reply by late reports. The dust-up has stirred fresh talk about cracks in the law house, with watchers eyeing how the senator keeps up her push in sessions now that she’s back in the fold.