At least 12 close aides of former President Goodluck Jonathan have had their official passports withdrawn.

They include former Special Adviser to the President on Media, Reuben Abati, former Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, and former Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe.

The decision to withdraw the official passports of Jonathan’s former aides is to prevent misuse and conflict with new aides and officials of President Muhammadu Buhari, who assumed duties on May 29, according to a report in the Vanguard.

The former aides are understood to have turned in their passports to the Presidential Villa, sequel to its eventual return to the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Nine other key officials of the Jonathan administration, who were also issued with official passports have also been stripped of the travel documents.

The paper speculates that the development may not be unconnected to a seemingly imminent probe of the Jonathan administration.

Officially at least, the Nigerian Immigration Service has denied any hidden political agenda; NIS spokesperson, Mr. Joachim Obua, saying it is normal for government officials to surrender their official passports at the end of their time in office.

“It is important for the position to be made clear that official passports are not the property of anyone holding it. Once you complete your assignment you have to return it to the NIS,” he said.