Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Security agencies, especially the immigration service, have been given a directive to tighten security around the nation’s borders.
This directive was given on Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari during the virtual commissioning Ceremony of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) technology building.
The President also said there should be improved surveillance and control around the borders to weed out criminal elements who use the means to perpetrate evil.
The NIS was also asked to collaborate with international security organisations like the INTERPOL in safeguarding the borders, noting that the country’s Global Security Index must be improved.
“It is imperative that our ranking in the Global Security Index improves and I am using this medium to call on all security agencies to step up their activities towards achieving this goal. I assure you that the administration will give the much-needed support to you in your operations,” Mr Buhari said.
He further said, “As a security agency, I charge you to be relentless in carrying out your statutory duties of keeping our borders safe while you ensure that criminal elements don’t find Nigeria as a safe haven to hide and perpetrate their criminality.
“I urge you to actively collaborate with international security organisations like the INTERPOL, in safeguarding our borders. Remember that a safe border is a prerequisite for a safe nation.
“You must develop strong working relationships and ties with the international community and friendly nations as it relates to migration management; adopt and implement workable strategies from them while also sharing your best practices.
“Frontline workers and operators should remember that they are our windows to the world. They must show the best face of Nigeria at all times.”
President Buhari commended the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for consistently pushing for the completion of the building, which will serve as the command and control centre of the NIS, as well as the repository of personal data of Nigerians and expatriates resident in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Minister assured that the security challenges facing the country were temporal and surmountable, pointing out that the “weakest link” had been the land borders and the technology building will play a pivotal role in the control of illegal migration.
