- NIS boss states that the country is surrounded by francophone countries, whose nationals are vulnerable and desperately seek to stay in Nigeria.
- He underscores the need for NIS to take extra measures to scrutinise every immigrant at the entry point
The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has disclosed that illegal immigrants are the ones perpetration most of the criminal activities in Nigeria.
The Kwara State Comptroller of NIS, Aminu Shamsuddin, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the 60th anniversary of the Service in Ilorin.
He stated that the country is surrounded by francophone countries, whose nationals are vulnerable and desperately seek to stay in Nigeria.
He further underscored the need for NIS to take extra measures to scrutinise every immigrant at the entry point.
“These people think Nigeria is a paradise and, truly, we are the mother of Africa. They always struggle to be part of us and are ready to spend huge sums of money to obtain a Nigerian passport. They also get married to Nigerians in their bid to naturalise, which is why we painstakingly check every immigrant.
“Through our training, we can easily ascertain if someone is a Nigerian or not,” he said.
Shamsuddin explained that processes of scrutiny sometimes make the issuance of international passports take some time and urged Nigerians to show understanding and patience.
According to him, NIS is closer to the people than other paramilitary agencies due to the services it renders to the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Shamsuddin said that the Acting Comptroller General of NIS, Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, has directed the 36 States of the federation to celebrate the diamond jubilee anniversary.