By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Federal Government of Nigeria says it will partner Indian Government to device workable approach to end the export of fake Nigerian passports and visas into India.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola gave this assurance when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Gangadharan Balasubramanian paid him a visit in Abuja.
The minister in a statement on Sunday by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr Afonja Ajibola, said Nigeria would remain grateful to the Government and people of India for her support to Nigeria during the country’s anti-colonial struggle that led to independence.
He said that the federal government frowns at all forms of illegalities and would not condone procurement of fake visas by individuals to falsely gain entry into another country.
Aregbesola pledged Nigeria’s full cooperation with India through its Immigration Service to put a stop to the activities of individuals engaging in fraudulent procurement of fake official Nigerian travelling documents to enter India illegally.
He called for closer collaboration between both governments through provision of useful information and intelligence reports that would assist in unmasking those involved to get them arrested to face the full weight of the law.
Aregbesola appealed to Balasubramanian for technical assistance through scholarships and professional courses/trainings for security agencies as part of partnership co-operation, stating that Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC also play a complementary role to the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining law and order in the country.
The high commissioner who commended the cordial relationship existing between both countries, promised to explore more areas of co-operation that would further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the duo