INSECURITY: Nigeria tightens border control to tackle aliens

By Konyinsola Dawodu

The Federal Government has assured that irregular migration and illegal transnational activities across Nigeria’s international borders are being checked.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Shaibu Belgore, gave the assurance in Lagos on Wednesday.

He addressed the 3rd International Security Management Course at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

Belgore said his ministry, through the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has evolved new ways to improve border control, management, monitoring and protection.

The official said such innovations would confront 21st century evolving challenges that continued to pose threat to Nigeria’s internal security.

Belgore noted that transnational crimes were of global significance due to globalisation and increasing travel.

“There has been an increase in irregular migration, trafficking of persons, smuggling of migrants, financial crimes, drug related offences, transportation of illegal weapons, among others”, he said.

The permanent secretary decried how illicit movement of arms and persons through entry points worsened the nation’s insecurity.

Belgore said collaboration between the government, NIS, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and stakeholders would strengthen border security.