Nigerian govt to establish command centre to combat irregular migration

The Federal Government is set to create an irregular migration command and control centre aimed at reducing the illegal entry of foreigners into Nigeria. Once operational, the centre will implement stringent screening processes for individuals crossing the nation’s land borders.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this announcement during the ceremony for the induction of 123 new officers at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

He emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Today’s event is about the regular migration control centre. Soon, we will establish the irregular migration command and control centre. We will not limit our security measures to airports and air traffic alone.”

Tunji-Ojo highlighted that comprehensive screening procedures will apply not only to land borders but also to marine entry points. “We are working extensively to ensure that every individual entering through our land borders undergoes thorough screening, including pre-profiling. This also extends to our marine borders. The security of Nigeria’s borders is crucial to the security of the state. We depend on you, the officers of the NIS, to uphold this security. The interactive API system you operate is of the highest standard,” he said.

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He urged the newly inducted officers, who underwent extensive training prior to selection, to maintain integrity in their roles. “Your primary responsibility is to prevent any individual of interest or unauthorized person from entering Nigeria. Issuing travel documents is secondary,” he added.

Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of NIS, noted that the induction of these operational officers signifies the start of a new chapter for the Service. She pointed out that the 123 officers were chosen based on merit from an initial pool of 253 candidates.

“The next phase will include specialized training, focusing on data analysis, travel plan assessment, and specific skill sets, in collaboration with other agencies and facilitators,” Nandap said. She reiterated NIS’s commitment to ongoing training and ensuring that only qualified officers are deployed to this vital unit dedicated to national security.

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