President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered tight security at all the borders of the country.
Speaking at a virtual event to inaugurate the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) technology building in Kaduna on Thursday, Buhari said the service must work with international organisations to ensure that the borders are secured against criminal elements.
“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,” Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, quoted the Buhari as saying in a statement.
“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.”
The president also asked other security agencies to step up their activities to ensure the country is safe, adding that the country’s standing on the global security index must improve.
“It is imperative that our ranking on 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,” he said.
“I assure you that the administration will give you the much needed support in your operations.”
On his part, Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, said security challenges facing the country are “temporary and surmountable”.
The minister added that the technology building will play an important role in the control of illegal migration.