Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, says residents in border areas in the state perpetually live in fear because of foreign nationals crossing into their sides to commit crimes and return to their countries.
Abiodun, therefore, urged officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service to collaborate with other security agencies in the state to check cross-border crimes, particularly along borders with Benin Republic.
The governor made this call when he received the new Comptroller of Immigration in charge of Ogun State, Yakubu Jibrin, in his Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, office.
He said “I will like to apprise you of the fact that occasionally, we have problems with those who cross our borders from Benin Republic, wandered into our state at times responsible for one crime or the other and run back.
“I am sure that hand in hand with the Customs, the police, the military and the Department of State Services, you will ensure that you bring this to absolute minimum because most times when these crimes occur, they all cross the border, attack our herders or farmers and run back.
“These crimes precipitate an internal crisis amongst us because it takes a while for us to determine that those crimes are actually caused by those that came from the borders. It appears as if our people are fighting among themselves.
“We want you to try and ensure that we find ways and means to reduce these cross-border incidents to an absolute minimum.”
The governor noted that due to Ogun State’s large land mass and proximity to four states with an international border with Benin Republic, many people people migrate to the state in search of jobs and leisure.
He told the Ogun NIS command boss that the state is ranked as one of the most peaceful in the country as a result of his predecessor’s collaboration with the government and other law enforcement architecture.
He assured the NIS boss that his administration would continue to take steps for a peaceful and harmonious relationship between the state and its neighbours.
On the issuance of international passports, Abiodun, who applauded Minister of Interior and NIS Comptroller General for the establishment of a passport office at Sagamu, urged the new comptroller to expedite action in resolving some of the problems working against timely issuance of international passports to the indigenes of the state.
He expressed the hope that with Jibrin’s wealth of experience and the NIS CG’s as well as the supervising Minister, he’s better positioned to face the task ahead.
Earlier, Jibrin in his remarks, assured that his officers and men were ready to patrol the nation’s borders to checkmate the activities of criminals crossing over to cause havoc in the country.
He thanked the state government for refurbishing three of the Command’s operational vehicles, donating one new patrol van as well as three new motorbikes.
“This will go a long way in assisting my men to discharge their constitutional responsibilities more effectively,” he said.