Buhari Directs Immigration Service To Beef Up Security Around Borders

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to improve surveillance and control around the nation’s borders.

According to a statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President gave the directive in his speech at the virtual inauguration of the NIS Technology Building on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement was titled “President Buhari directs Immigration Service to tighten security around borders, urges security outfits to raise performance.”

The President directed the NIS to ensure that criminals do not find Nigeria as a safe haven to hide and perpetrate their criminality.

He also urged the NIS to collaborate with international security organisations like INTERPOL to safegaurd Nigeria’s borders.

Buhari 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.”

Speaking further, the President hailed the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, for pushing for the completion of the Technology Building.

He noted that the Technology Building 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.

“This is in line with the vision of our administration to formulate and implement policies that will protect and enhance the lives and standards of living for Nigerians.

“This administration is relentless in its avowed desire to create an enabling business environment that will usher in economic boom for Nigerians and all those who do business with and in Nigeria,” he said.