Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have vowed to strengthen border safety and tighten migration controls to stop foreigners and irregular migrants from interfering in Nigeria’s 2027 basic elections.
The two safety companies mentioned they might intensify intelligence sharing, joint surveillance and coordinated safety operations to stop international components from exploiting the nation’s borders to infiltrate Nigeria and undermine the electoral course of.
The dedication was made on Friday on the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja through the formal flag-off of the 2027 General Elections Sensitisation Programme.
The occasion was attended by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap; Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and representatives of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche.
Speaking on the occasion, Nandap, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in command of Visa and Residency, Franca Usiwoma Nwanneka, charged immigration personnel to stay vigilant and guarantee efficient coordination of their operations earlier than, throughout and after the elections.
She described the 2027 basic elections as a important interval requiring collective vigilance and the dedication of all establishments answerable for defending the nation’s safety and democratic processes.
According to her, the Immigration Service occupies a strategic place in Nigeria’s safety structure due to its accountability for border safety and migration administration.
She warned that irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and different transnational legal actions might pose vital threats to nationwide safety if not adequately addressed.
“Today’s workshop is especially vital as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 basic elections. Beyond the accountability of conducting credible elections, there’s the equally necessary activity of offering a peaceable and safe surroundings wherein the democratic processes can thrive.
“Achieving this requires collective vigilance, effective coordination and the commitment of all institutions entrusted with safeguarding our nation,” she mentioned.
Nandap pressured that no single safety company might independently deal with the advanced safety challenges confronting the nation, noting that efficient intelligence sharing and sustained inter-agency collaboration have been important to stopping safety breaches.
She additionally cautioned immigration officers towards taking sides with political events or people collaborating within the elections, insisting that personnel should keep strict political neutrality and professionalism.
“Our officers must demonstrate the highest standards of political neutrality, discipline and respect for the rule of law. Under no circumstance should our personnel use official resources to promote partisan interests. Our loyalty must remain firmly in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she mentioned.
The Comptroller-General additional directed zonal coordinators, controllers and heads of formations to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and operational deployment whereas making certain shut coordination with different safety companies.
She additionally referred to as for proactive participation within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stressing that collaboration should produce measurable outcomes.
“Our participation in ICCES must be proactive, purposeful and result-oriented,” she added.
In his remarks, the DSS Director-General, Ajayi, represented by the Deputy Director-General in command of Operations and Intelligence, Patrick Ikenweiwe, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to strengthening collaboration with the Immigration Service to safeguard Nigeria’s borders all through the electoral interval.
He mentioned the safety of the nation’s borders and the integrity of its migration management system could be important to defending the 2027 electoral course of towards exterior threats.
According to him, electoral actions might entice people searching for to exploit weaknesses in border controls for the motion of mercenaries, political operatives and different individuals intent on undermining democratic processes.
Ajayi described the Immigration Service as the primary line of nationwide defence towards irregular migration and different cross-border safety threats, noting that its effectiveness could be essential to sustaining a peaceable electoral surroundings.
“The Department of State Services stays dedicated to deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service via well timed intelligence sharing, joint risk assessments and coordinated operations, significantly alongside our land borders and at entry factors.
“No single agency can secure the electoral space alone. Our strength lies in absolute synergy,” he mentioned.
The DSS chief additionally emphasised the significance of efficient supervision, accountability and measurable efficiency in attaining institutional safety targets.
He urged supervisors to lead by instance and make sure that personnel remained skilled, accountable and politically impartial all through the electoral cycle.
The renewed safety dedication comes as preparations for the 2027 basic elections collect momentum, with safety companies anticipated to play important roles in defending the electoral surroundings, stopping cross-border threats and making certain that eligible Nigerians can train their democratic rights peacefully.
