There was mild drama at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday when officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service briefly seized the international passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The senator, who said she was travelling abroad for “a one-week break,” went live on social media during the encounter, accusing immigration officers of acting on political orders and without any legal basis.

In the viral video, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was behind the move, describing it as an attempt to intimidate her amid her ongoing legal and political battles. “The officers have no warrant, no justification whatsoever to seize my passport. This is clearly politically motivated. I have never jumped bail or missed any court appearance,” she said.

Her video quickly went viral, drawing public attention and sparking outrage online. Following the backlash, immigration officers reportedly released her passport.

An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service later confirmed the incident but described it as a “routine verification exercise,” insisting the document was “promptly returned after checks were concluded.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who only recently resumed at the National Assembly after a six-month break, has been at the centre of several political controversies. The latest episode adds to what many see as growing tensions between her and some powerful figures in Abuja, highlighting ongoing concerns about the intersection of politics, power, and personal freedom in Nigeria.