In a move to ensure the security and integrity of the upcoming general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tighten border surveillance.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Katsina NIS command office and roll-out of the enhanced e-passport in the state, Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola emphasized the president’s order to make the nation’s borders “impenetrable” to foreign bodies who may want to interfere with the election process or engage in illegal activities.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that Nigerian borders should be made impenetrable to foreign bodies who might want to come in and manipulate the election process or engage in other nefarious activities,” said Aregbesola.
“The order from the president is that between now and the time that we conclude all the elections, please make our borders impregnable. They should still remain impregnable, even after the elections.”
Aregbesola emphasized that border control is the primary responsibility of the NIS, followed by migration management and ensuring that migrants are effectively regulated and documented.
The minister assured the public that the nation’s borders will soon be equipped with the latest surveillance technology for 24/7 inch-by-inch monitoring of the 4,500 km borderline from east to west and the coastlines.
“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 inch-by-inch surveillance of the 4,500 kilometres borderline from the eastern part to the western part including coastlines,” Aregbesola said.
“This is one of the several achievements of the president’s administration.”
Katsina state, which has 14 border positions across a 400 km borderline manned by immigration personnel, will also receive the latest technology to monitor and protect its borders.
Aregbesola expressed confidence in the government’s ability to protect the border positions and ensure a free and fair election.
“We don’t want a situation whereby those who are not qualified to vote in Nigeria will come into our nation to illegally participate in the process,” Aregbesola added.
