- Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) plans to revamp Border Corps Unit to enhance border security, announced by Comptroller General Kemi Nandap
- Acquisition of 30 operational vehicles for border surveillance aligns with President Tinubu’s border security commitment, enhancing NIS’s capabilities
The Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has revealed plans to revamp the Service’s Border Corps Unit as part of efforts to secure the country’s borders better.
She made this known on Friday when she spoke with journalists after commissioning 30 operational vehicles for border surveillance and patrol at the service headquarters in Abuja.
The CG stated that the acquisition of the new vehicles was a significant step towards enhancing the security and integrity of Nigeria’s borders, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
“We are set to establish a border corps,” she announced, emphasizing President Tinubu’s commitment to border security. “We will deploy personnel on the ground, train and equip them adequately, and they are prepared to carry out their duties.”
Highlighting the pivotal role of effective border surveillance and patrol in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its citizens, and preserving economic prosperity, Nandap emphasized that the 30 new vehicles signify a tangible investment in equipping immigration officers for their tasks.
“With improved mobility, our border patrol teams will be better positioned to detect and deter illegal activities, such as migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes,” she stated.
Nandap also outlined plans for restructuring the Border Corps architecture to include agile Sector Commanders responsible for consistent surveillance and patrol along the border, aligning with the Service’s core mandate.
She urged personnel to take ownership of the responsibility to secure the nation’s borders diligently and remain vigilant. Additionally, she warned against engaging in activities that contravene laws or tarnish the image of the NIS, stressing a zero-tolerance policy towards compromising national security.
During the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, underscored the importance of securing the border, noting that internal security threats could be effectively addressed when borders are secured.
He reiterated the President’s commitment to providing the necessary leadership, equipment, and welfare to enable the NIS to fulfill its duties effectively, emphasizing the urgency of taking action to address the current security challenges. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that securing the borders is paramount and essential for overcoming insurgency and other security threats.