Apparently worried by the killings and other activities being perpetrated by bandits and other killer groups in the country, the Federal Government said plans are ongoing to prevent the influx of illegal foreigners through the land and sea borders.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, a parastatal of the Presidency, Adamu Agaji and Director (International Boundaries), Mustapha Ribadu, during the celebration of the 11th edition of the African Border Day with the theme: ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for building the Africa we want.’
According to Ribadu, the government would tighten security in its international land and maritime borders with seven countries through effective policing stating that Nigeria would “never compromise an inch of Nigeria’s integrity”.
FirstNews learned that the decision came amidst a reported influx of foreigners who were said to be fuelling banditry, killing and other forms of insurgency in Nigeria.
During the event, Ribadu acknowledged the working relationship with the various security agencies in Nigeria.
He said the work of the commission in the determination of the border would, no doubt, provide the security agencies, “with clear limits of Nigeria’s territorial borders for effective policing and defence.”
His words: “Let me assure you that the NBC would never compromise an inch of Nigeria’s integrity. However, we are committed to respecting the international laws and treaty obligations as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
“As agreed by African leaders in the 1964 Cairo Declaration on the principle of inviolability of the African borders, Nigeria has the obligation of respecting the colonial treaties as inherited from the European powers at the time of independence.”
On his part, Adaji explained that, “No doubt, providing effective policing across the length of these expansive territorial birders requires not only the commitment of Nigeria’s security operatives but also the support of relevant border management structures in Nigeria and integration of our patriotic traditional authorities in the borderland communities who are the gateways to the nation.
“These borderland communities, through their cross border socio-cultural platforms as homogenous communities would obviously play an important role in securing Nigeria and building a peaceful and prosperous Africa we want.”