ACTING Controller-General of Immigration (CGI), Isah Jere Idris, has informed the 548 new immigration officers that they will be deployed to Forward Operations Bases ( FOB) and the Border Control Posts to help manage the nation’s borders keeping it safe.
Nigeria’s borders cover 5,330 kilometres with an estimated 1,490 illegal entry points into the country and with a workforce of about 25,000 the service does not have the manpower or capacity to manage these illegal entry points.
Idris hinted the new officers at the pass out parade of the 47th Superintendent Basic Course at the Immigration Training School in Kano explaining that the service was revamping its border security apparatus with technology for effective control.
He said,” I will not therefore, mince words to inform that the overriding reason for your enlistment into the Immigration Service is for border security functions.
“We are retooling our border security structures following the adoption of the eBorder project which would demand massive deployment of human and ICT logistics for effective border security operations across Control Posts.
“We shall complement this with reinvigorated patrols at the border flanks with the aim of keeping away undesirable migrants. As you graduate out of this institution today, I assure that you will be needed at the Forward Operations Bases and the Border Control Posts to offer your contributions to fatherland,” idris said
He stated that upon assumption of office as acting Comptroller General, he envisioned three critical areas of special focus including: Deepening the Passport reforms effort; Reinvigoration of eBorder security project and
Enhanced staff welfare.
He expressed delight that his team management has made tremendous efforts in all these areas and have successfully deployed the Passport appointment date system to reduce overcrowding across our Passport Offices restoring some elements of decency and serene environment in many of the NIS’ Issuing Centers as applicants are now only allowed into our premises on their appointment dates.
He said, “We have also deployed the Passport status tracking facility that would enable Passport applicants to monitor the status of their applications real time online without having to come physically to the Offices. All they need do is to log on to track.immigration.gov.ng with their application details to check the status of their applications even in the comfort of their rooms/offices
