The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nandap, has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening border security and enhancing surveillance across the nation. Speaking during a meeting with Comptrollers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja on Tuesday, Nandap underscored the urgent need for effective border control measures to tackle illegal activities, including smuggling and terrorism, which continue to pose significant threats to Nigeria’s security.
Nandap highlighted the importance of a robust physical presence, enhanced surveillance, and meticulous data collection at the nation’s borders. She charged the comptrollers to uphold their duties with integrity and diligence, emphasizing that the service could no longer afford to be complacent in its efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders.
“The reason for this meeting is for us to know how to make sure our borders are safe and secure. I am sure you all know that upon my assumption of duty, I went round to assess the border,” Nandap stated. “I went round to also find out from our borders what are we not doing right. How do we make sure we are efficient and effective?”
Addressing the multiple security challenges facing the country, Nandap stressed that the service must remain vigilant and proactive. She urged the comptrollers to engage in regular on-ground surveillance to fully understand the challenges faced by their teams, emphasizing that remote work would no longer suffice in the fight against border-related crimes.
“We can no longer tolerate the influx of non-Nigerians into our country; it’s time to take our responsibilities seriously and address these security concerns head-on,” Nandap declared. “We need to ensure our borders are safe and secure. I have assessed our border controls and identified areas for improvement. We need to be efficient and effective in our operations.”
To standardize and improve the effectiveness of border policing, Nandap mandated the implementation of a reporting template across all jurisdictions. She also pointed out the underutilization of NIS officers stationed in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), stressing the need for better deployment and service delivery.
“There are some hot spots that are known for smuggling of migrants and terrorism. You must know what your area is prone to, I mean the prevailing crimes there. You must analyze your state and know the crime pattern; only then can you proffer solutions and be relevant to the state government,” she added.
The NIS CG’s directives reflect a renewed focus on fortifying Nigeria’s borders and enhancing the nation’s overall security infrastructure in response to evolving threats.