By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it is deploying e-border solutions in parts of Kebbi state, North West Nigeria which borders Niger Republic to curb trans-border crimes.
The solutions at advance stage are to be deployed to its Forward Operating Base (FOB) located at Kyengyakwai, Kamba Control Post, Dole Kaina (Land), and Lolo (Marine) Control Posts, NIS public relations officer, Kenneth Udo announced in a statement.
Upon completion of the installation process in the areas, the technology would provide real-time intelligence and surveillance services for the nation’s border, Udo had stated.
He quoted the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap who conducted a two-day working visit for an on-the-spot assessment of the nation’s borders as saying that the intelligence gathered from e-border solutions would be swiftly shared among the security agencies to further enhance collaboration.
Udo quoted the Comptroller-General as emphasising the Service’s readiness to continue deploying advanced technology to safeguard Nigeria’s borders.
Heritage Times (HT) reports that thousands of illegal and entry points into an out of the country has been blamed for escalating security concerns in the West African nation, fuelled by the availability of small arms and light weapons.
Neighbouring countries, such as Niger, Togo, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali have all been dealing with one form of arm group or the other, expending humongous chunk of their national budgets towards curtailing the activities of these non-state actors whose activities negate economic growth and national development.
Experts have fingered Libya as the largest supply source for light and heavy weapons in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, accounting for nearly 80% of such arms that have emboldened cult, kidnapping and arm robbery gangs, as well as bandits who operate almost unchallenged in Zamfara, Plateau, Kaduna and other parts of North West and North Central regions of Nigeria.
Poorly manned borders posts have not deterred the influx of foreigners into Niger who are believed to have created grazing roots that pitch them with communities around North Central and across Nigeria.
This is not the first time electronic surveillance system is being put in place to curb crimes in Nigeria. The multi-billion Naira Abuja failed CCTV camera project has not seen anyone held to account in the past 15 years.
