Despite a multi-billion-naira investment in border surveillance systems, illegal migration continues to plague Nigeria’s borders, raising concerns about national security.
The Federal Government’s e-border initiative, launched in 2019 and valued at N52 billion, was designed to monitor Nigeria’s vast borders in real-time.
However, evidence from border communities reveals persistent issues in controlling illegal crossings.
Reports indicate that illegal migrants, including bandits and terrorists, are crossing into Nigeria from neighboring countries such as the Republics of Benin, Niger, Chad, Mali, and Cameroon.
This revelation comes despite claims by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of significant progress in the e-border project.
According to Tunji-Ojo, over half of Nigeria’s borders now have automated surveillance systems, and the first phase of the project, encompassing land and marine borders, is slated for completion by October 2024.
However, border residents and local authorities tell a different story. In Kwara State’s Baruten Local Government Area, residents report daily crossings by illegal immigrants from Benin Republic through informal routes.
Former council chairman Abdulrasheed Abdullahi stated that the border closure since 2020 under the Buhari administration has not deterred these movements.
Similarly, residents in Taraba, Jigawa, Ogun, and Cross River states have voiced concerns over the ineffectiveness of the surveillance systems.
Monarchs, vigilante groups, and local leaders decry the lack of visible technological infrastructure and highlight the persistent inflow of undocumented migrants, some of whom are linked to criminal activities.
The Federal Executive Council approved the project in 2019, but delays in funding pushed its commencement to 2022.
Nigeria’s expansive borders, stretching over 5,330 kilometers, remain porous due to numerous illegal entry points.
As of 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) claims to have deployed advanced e-border solutions at 80 crossing points nationwide. However, local testimonies suggest otherwise.
In Ogun State, the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, described the N9 billion e-border control project as a “white elephant,” likening it to other failed government initiatives.
He noted the lack of physical barricades or effective surveillance systems at the Nigeria-Benin border, resulting in unchecked migration and increased crime.
Border community leaders and residents are urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the nation’s borders.
While acknowledging the historical and cultural ties with neighboring countries, they emphasize the need for advanced technology, increased manpower, and economic opportunities to address the root causes of illegal migration.
Stakeholders, including monarchs in Cross River and Jigawa states, have pledged their support for government initiatives.
However, they stress the importance of collaborative and transparent measures to ensure the success of the e-border surveillance system.
The Federal Government’s ambitious e-border project represents a significant step toward securing Nigeria’s borders.
However, its effectiveness remains questionable as illegal migration and associated security risks persist.
Experts and community leaders agree that a comprehensive approach, combining technology, manpower, and infrastructure development, is essential to achieving long-term border security.