Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish an irregular migration command and control centre aimed at strengthening the screening of individuals entering Nigeria through its land borders.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the induction of 123 new officers at the Border Command and Control Centre at Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the centre would focus on preventing unauthorised entry through extensive screening at Nigeria’s land and marine borders.
“Today’s event is about the regular migration control centre. Soon, we will establish the irregular migration command and control centre,” he said.
“We will not limit our security measures to airports and air traffic alone. Every individual entering through our land borders will undergo thorough screening, including pre-profiling.”
Highlighting the crucial role of the NIS officers, Tunji-Ojo emphasised that border security directly impacts the nation’s overall security.
“The security of Nigeria’s borders is crucial to the security of the state. We depend on you, the officers of the NIS, to uphold this security. The interactive API system you operate is of the highest standard,” he noted.
The Minister also cautioned officers against compromise, reminding them that their foremost duty is to secure the borders.
“Your primary responsibility is to prevent any individual of interest or unauthorised person from entering Nigeria. Issuing travel documents is secondary,” he stressed.
Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, commended the induction of the officers as a milestone for the Service, noting they had been selected from an initial 253 candidates based on merit.
“This induction marks the beginning of a new era for the Service,” Nandap said, adding that these officers are part of a flagship project to bolster national security.
Nandap highlighted plans for advanced training to enhance skills such as data analysis and travel assessment, conducted in collaboration with other agencies. She reaffirmed NIS’s commitment to continuous training, stating that only the most capable officers would serve in this essential unit.