Buhari orders security beef up around Nigeria’s borders

President Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to improve surveillance and control around the nation’s borders.

 He directed the service to ensure that criminals did not find Nigeria as a safe haven to hide and perpetrate their criminality. 

 According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President gave the directive in his speech at the virtual inauguration of the NIS Technology Building. 

 The statement was titled: ‘President Buhari directs Immigration Service to tighten security around borders, urges security outfits to raise performance’. 

 The President was quoted as also instructing all security agencies to raise their performance in protecting lives and property so that the country’s Global Security Index must be improved. He promised that his regime would give the agencies the needed support for their operations. 

 Buhari also urged the NIS to collaborate with international security organisations like INTERPOL in safeguarding the borders. He said, “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. 

 “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.”