Tension is reportedly mounting across Nigeria’s South East following reports that the region’s only passport production centre, located at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Zonal Headquarters in Enugu, may be shut down, a development that could disrupt urgent travel plans for thousands of applicants.

Sources within the NIS, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, disclosed that passport production activities at the Enugu facility were allegedly halted following a directive said to have emanated from the Federal Ministry of Interior.

The Enugu centre currently serves Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, and plays a critical role in emergency and fast-tracked passport processing for residents of the region.

According to the sources, a team of technical personnel believed to have arrived from Abuja began dismantling key passport production machines earlier in the day. If the removal of the equipment is completed, it would effectively bring local passport issuance in the South East to a halt, forcing applicants to seek services outside the region.

The reported development has sparked anxiety among residents and travellers who depend on the Enugu facility for timely documentation. Many applicants with urgent travel needs fear missing important deadlines should emergency processing be relocated to Abuja, a move that would increase transportation costs, prolong processing timelines and place additional strain on an already stretched system.

Observers say the situation raises broader concerns about access to federal services and regional equity in the distribution of public infrastructure.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders and community leaders are reportedly calling on political representatives from the South East to urgently engage with federal authorities to clarify the true status of the Enugu passport production centre.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the Ministry of Interior has issued an official statement confirming or denying the alleged shutdown. The lack of formal communication has further fuelled speculation and uncertainty among passport applicants.

For now, residents of the region remain on edge, hoping for swift clarification from authorities before any final decision is taken that could significantly alter passport processing across the South East.