Nigeria has over 320 illegal border routes, says ex-immigration boss
A retired assistant comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Sunday Fagbamigbe, says the country has over 320 unmanned illegal routes fueling insecurity.
Mr Fagbamigbe said in an interview on Friday in Abeokuta that the illegal routes “provide avenues for insecurity, proliferation of arms, and dumping of unwholesome goods in the country.”
He advised the federal government to procure and install advanced equipment at the nation’s borders to strengthen security.
Mr Fagbamigbe said installing modern surveillance equipment had become necessary because of the increased challenge of insecurity bedevilling the nation.
He listed the various nature of insecurity as drug and human trafficking and other menaces facing the country.
According to him, border policing has shifted from using only human personnel to sophisticated electronic-based equipment for efficient and result-oriented operations.
He said the porous borders had also encouraged the thriving illegal drug and human trafficking all over the country.
The retired NIS boss said deploying technologies like electronic sensors, video monitors, and night vision scopes to detect illegal entries had proven more effective in Western countries than human security.
He noted that areas of border surveillance security and stability needed to be strengthened.
The former immigration boss identified border security as the cornerstone of any nation’s defence.
He noted that the country lacked sufficient security personnel to safeguard the existing illegal routes across the borders.
While in service, Mr Fagbamigbe headed several formations such as Igando, Iseyin, Saki border patrol, Lagos Passport Command, and Zone ‘F’ Oyo.
(NAN)
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