The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), Kemi Nandap, states that the security of Nigerian borders has improved due to the deployment of technology at key entry points nationwide.
During a recent courtesy visit to Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang in Jos, Nandap highlighted the innovative initiatives the NIS has adopted to enhance the safety of land borders and protect citizens.
“We leverage technology and other initiatives to ensure our borders are now safer,” she asserts.
Nandap also announces plans to revive Departments of Immigration (DIOs) in Local Government Areas (LGAs) to better safeguard rural communities.
E-Border Solutions Implemented
Earlier this month, the NIS initiates the deployment of advanced e-border solutions at over 80 crossing points across Nigeria. This action is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and combat trans-border crime.
Nandap explains that this deployment represents the first phase of the e-border project, a significant advancement in modernizing border surveillance and control. The e-border system enables real-time, 24/7 monitoring and intelligence sharing, which enhances the NIS’s ability to manage border activities.
“To date, we have implemented e-border solutions at more than 80 crossing points, with plans for a second phase soon. Our objective is to cover as many points as possible, utilizing technology to support our field officers,” Nandap states.
With over 190 crossing points in Nigeria, the NIS aims to address the unmanned areas that are vulnerable to illegal crossings and irregular migration. Nandap emphasizes that technology will play a crucial role in monitoring these zones, ensuring that every individual entering the country is identified and tracked.
Additionally, she notes that the e-border system will enhance collaboration with other security agencies by facilitating the sharing of vital intelligence.
Background Information
In 2019, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N52 billion for the acquisition of e-border surveillance systems to improve border monitoring through technology. The project, aimed at providing real-time information from major border posts, did not commence until 2022.
