President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tighten security around the nation’s borders before and after the 2023 general election.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this known while inaugurating the Katsina State headquarters of the service in Katsina on Tuesday.

Aregbesola said: “The order from President Muhammadu Buhari is that between now and the time we will conclude elections, you must make sure our borders are secured.

“You must make sure that our borders are perfectly secured from illegal immigrants who may want to come in to create problems during elections, or illegally participating in the elections.

“The service should live up to the directives of Mr President.”

The minister also tasked them on ensuring the documentation of all migrants, adding that Katsina State has 400 kilometers border lines and 14 border positions which the service needs to protect.

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He said the government was upgrading the capacity of the NIS to effectively control the nation’s borders.

“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 surveillance of the 5,000 kilometers border lines.

“We have already awarded the contract, so, very soon, the Comptroller-General, from his office, will be able to see what is happening anytime at any border point,” Aregbesola added.

In his remarks, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Muntari Lawal, commended the NIS for the project and affirmed the administration’s readiness to support the service to secure the nation’s borders.

Also speaking, the State Controller, Bello Garba, who reiterated the commitment of officers to their responsibilities, said the service currently has 688 officers and men across the state.

The Star