Some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) deployed for the August 15 Osun State governorship election have raised concerns over the alleged delay in the payment of their special duty allowances, weeks after completing their assignments.

A source within the NIS told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that about N120 million was allegedly released for the election deployment, with the money reportedly paid into an NIS account. The source claimed that officers deployed across the state were yet to receive their allowances despite completing the electoral assignment.

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The source further alleged that the funds were provided in connection with the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while another claim suggested that the Osun State Government also provided funds for the operation. Some officers were reportedly forced to borrow money to cover transportation and other expenses incurred while travelling to their deployment locations.

“It was said that some officers borrowed money to enable them to go to their deployment area,” the source alleged.

The source also claimed that both the Osun State Command and the NIS headquarters in Abuja had failed to resolve the matter despite repeated concerns from affected personnel.

However, the NIS spokesperson in Osun State, DSI Abiola Anjorin, acknowledged that payment to officers deployed for the election was still being processed. He said the delay was not peculiar to the Immigration Service, adding that other agencies involved in the election also faced similar issues.

“This is not peculiar to NIS officials alone; other agencies too have similar issue; hence, it’s a process, and with the information received, they are going to be paid very soon as Service Headquarters is working on it,” Anjorin said.

The allegations have raised questions about the management and disbursement of funds reportedly earmarked for election security operations. However, the claim that ₦120 million was paid into the NIS account remains an allegation and was not independently confirmed in the information provided.

The development comes shortly after reports that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed for the same Osun governorship election also complained about delays in receiving their special duty allowances.

The complaints from NIS and NSCDC personnel could point to a broader delay in the payment of allowances to security personnel deployed for the August 15 election, particularly those who incurred transportation and other expenses during the assignment.