Nigeria has more than 320 illegal border routes — Retired-Immigration boss

Published

3 months ago

October 11, 2024

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Nigeria has more than 320 illegal border routes — Retired-Immigration boss

A retired Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) of Immigration, Mr Sunday Fagbamigbe, says Nigeria has more than 320 unmanned illegal routes, thereby fueling insecurity in the country.

Fagbamigbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abeokuta.

The retired immigration officer said the illegal routes “provide avenues for insecurity, proliferation of arms, and dumping of unwholesome goods in the country.”

He therefore advised the Federal Government to procure and install advanced equipment at the nation’s borders to strengthen security.

Fagbamigbe said the installation of modern surveillance equipment had become necessary because of the increased challenge of insecurity bedeviling the nation.

He listed the various nature of insecurity to include, trafficking in illicit drugs, human trafficking, among other menaces facing the country.

According to him, border policing has shifted from the use of only human personnel, to the use of sophisticated electronic based equipment for efficient result oriented operations.

He said that the porous borders had also encouraged the thriving illegal drug and human trafficking all over the country.

The retired NIS boss said the deployment of technologies like electronic sensors, video monitors, and night vision scopes to detect illegal entries had proven to be effective in western countries than human security.

He said that advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, (drones) and dark fighter cameras could also enhance border controls.

He noted that areas on border surveillance security and stability needed to be strengthened.

The former immigration boss identified border security as the cornerstone of any nation’s defence.

“We have to take seriously border management security, and work with border communities.

“We must create a sense of awareness and collaboration,”Fagbamigbe said.

He noted that the country at the moment lacked sufficient security personnel to safeguard the existing illegal routes across the borders.

NAN reports that Fagbamigbe, who retired as the Coordinator l, One ‘F ‘ comprising Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo and Osun commands, was pulled out of service on Oct. 4 after 30 years of service.

While in service, Fagbamigbe headed several formations such as Igando, Iseyin, Saki border patrol, Lagos Passport Command, and Zone ‘F’ Oyo, among others.(NAN)

Paramilitary

NDLEA operatives arrest Thailand returnee with N3.1 billion heroin at Lagos airport

Published

3 months ago

October 13, 2024

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NDLEA operatives arrest Thailand returnee with N3.1 billion heroin at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Thailand returnee SimonPeter Oguejiofor for importing 13.30 kilograms of heroin worth more than N3.192billion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives intercepted large consignments of Opioids with combined monetary value of more than N22.7 billion at three seaports in Lagos.

He said that Oguejiofor was arrested on Monday Oct. 7 while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the illicit drug concealed in six backpacks and then packed into two big suitcases.

He added that the 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra state, had left Thailand on Oct. 3 on Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha.

This, he said was where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.
“After arriving Lagos on the Oct. 5, he contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria so that he can pick them up as rush bags in a bit to beat security checks.

“However, NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit. A search of his two suitcases revealed three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all the six backpacks.

“The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg.

“In his statement, Oguejiofor claimed he was hired for a fee of 7,000 dollars upon successful delivery of the parcels. He said he was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the other four parcels in Accra, Ghana.”

Meanwhile, a total of 32,607,900 pills of tramadol worth over N12.5 billion and N1.4million bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of N10.2 billion have been intercepted at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

Babafemi said that the combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to N22.7 billion.
He said that the illicit consignments were seized from containers watch listed by NDLEA based on intelligence and processed for 100 per cent joint examination.

This, he said was with the help of men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between Monday Oct. 7 and Friday October 11.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday Oct. 12 arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg at Upper Iweka, Onitsha.

Also, in Edo state, operatives raided a cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, Owan West LGA where 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050kg were recovered.
Babafemi said that a suspect Monday Akele, 38, was arrested on Friday Oct. 11 in another raid at Owan Village, Ovia North East Local Government Area where 110kg of same substance was seized.(NAN)

News

JUST IN; Nigerian Immigration promotes 13,977 Senior, Junior officers

Published

4 months ago

October 4, 2024

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted 13,977 senior and junior officers in a historic exercise, marking a significant milestone in the service’s efforts to eradicate career stagnation.

The Comptroller General, NIS, Kemi Nandap said this during the decoration ceremony of 15 newly promoted Assistant Comptrollers-General [ACGs], 95 Comptrollers of Immigration Service (CIS) promoted personnel on Friday in Abuja.

Nandap who acknowledged their hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving the nation, congratulated them and other personnel across ranks on their well-deserved promotions.

She said that the recently concluded 2024 promotion exercise stood as a testament to these efforts, marking a historic moment in the annals of the NIS.

She also said that the ceremony was a reflection of the service ongoing commitment to career progression and institutional growth that would intentionally eradicate career stagnation within the service.

According to her, while consolidating on the efforts of past administrations, I make bold to say that stagnation is now a thing of the past in the NIS.

“This has become possible by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) under the dynamic leadership of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

“Under the Minister of Interior, the Board has worked tirelessly to ensure that the promotion process is fair, transparent and that results are released timely to reflect the aspirations of our officers.

” I extend my deepest appreciation to the Minister for his unwavering support and dedication to the advancement of the NIS.

“A total of 13,977 personnel were promoted; encompassing 6,697 officers rising from Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI2) to Assistant Comptroller General (ACG).

“Also included are 7,280 personnel advancing from Immigration Assistant II (IA2) to Inspector of Immigration (II).

“This mass promotion, unprecedented in scope and impact, sends a powerful message about our commitment to rewarding excellence, fostering growth, and building a service that is not only motivated but also equipped to meet the demands of a modern and complex world,”she said.

Speaking, the CDCFIB Secretary, Ja’afaru Ahmed congratulated the newly promoted officers of the NIS and the NIS CG for the great feat.

“I think if I’ll put it on record, I stand to be corrected, there has never been a time in the history of the NIS that this number of officers have been promoted,”he said.

Ahmed acknowledged that the issue of stagnation in the NIS had been addressed through the Minister of interior who also doubled as the Board Chairman.

He said “let me say that I wish to commend the Chairman of the board who is also the interior Minister for working tirelessly to ensure that vacancies are secured in order, in all the four services for the promotion of this number of people.

“If we may recall, this service and the officers of this service have suffered stagnation, lack of vacancies, some have stayed for ten, nine, seven, eight years without promotions.

“It may interest you to know that five individuals also, have been promoted on special promotion.

“One of them did something that if we, at the NIS were to engage a consultant or anybody, we will spend millions and that’s why he earned his special promotion,”,he emphasised

Ahmed, while charging the newly decorated officers said “let me say this, to whom much is given, much is expected.

“The board, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior and with Assistance of the NIS CG, has done its part by ensuring that you secure your promotions to the next rank.

“What we expect from you is to assist in moving the service forward by ensuring that, in whatever capacity you find yourself, you do your best to ensure that this service is not only the best among the security agencies, but ensuring international best practices.

“We will be there, we’ll be watching, the board will be watching your progress, we will be watching your work and we’ll reward you whenever the need arises,I can assure you that, you will be rewarded,”he said.

Speaking on behalf of promoted officers, Bosede Olayemisi, commended the management of the service for the promotion.

“We promise that at our various duty posts, we will double our efforts and promise to be more effective and do our job diligently and be responsible. (NAN)

Paramilitary

Nigerian Air Force NAF airstrikes kill several Terrorists near Lake Chad

Published

5 months ago

August 30, 2024

Nigerian Air Force NAF airstrikes kill several Terrorists near Lake Chad

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully conducted airstrikes against terrorists in the Jubillaram area, southern Tumbuns, near Lake Chad, eliminating several militants.

AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the operation was made possible due to the forced migration of terrorists to higher ground following persistent rainfall.

He said that the NAF aircraft conducted an air interdiction mission, dealing a significant blow to the remnants of terrorists hiding in the area.

“Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed terrorists with salvaged belongings in makeshift accommodations, leading to precision airstrikes that destroyed structures and neutralized several militants.

“The success of the operation demonstrates the NAF’s commitment to achieving its mandate and protecting the nation from terrorist threats.

“The excess rainfall and swampy terrain inadvertently pushed the terrorists out of hiding, allowing the NAF to strike a significant blow.

“The airstrike has destabilized the terrorists’ center of gravity, diminishing their capacity to cause harm, especially to civilian targets,” he said.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had instructed all Air Component Commanders to intensify operations against terrorists and criminal elements, and the strike at Jubillaram confirmed that the directives were yielding the required outcome.(NAN)

OYS/AMM