President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to enhance border surveillance and control, ahead of the forthcoming general election.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, through a statement issued in Abuja, conveyed the President’s directive while inaugurating Katsina State NIS Command office and roll-out of the enhanced e-Passport in the State.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that Nigerian borders should be made impenetrable to foreign bodies who might want to come in and manipulate the election process or engage in other nefarious activities.
“The order from the President is that between now and the time that we conclude all the elections, please make our borders impregnable. They should still remain impregnable, even after the elections.
“We don’t want a situation whereby those who are not qualified to vote in Nigeria will come into our nation to illegally participate in the process,” Aregbesola added.
The minister reiterated that the primary assignment of the service is border control and not passport issuance.
He, however, said migration management is another primary responsibility of the service, therefore, they must ensure that migrants are effectively regulated and documented, as passport issuance is complimentary.
He assured that the nation’s borders would soon be covered using latest surveillance technology.
“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 inch by inch surveillance of the 4,500 kilometres borderline from the eastern part to the western part including coastlines.
“This is one of the several achievements of the President’s administration.”
He added that Katsina has 14 border positions across 400km borderline manned by immigration personnel, and assured that the government is confident of protecting the border positions.
In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Alhaji Muntari Lawal, commended the NIS for helping to curb the menace of insecurity in the State.
The governor also commended the Ministry of Interior for successfully establishing a State command of the immigration service in Katsina.
– NAN