The Federal Government of Nigeria is enhancing its border Security by establishing a Command and Control Centre dedicated to monitoring and controlling irregular migration into the country. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, made this announcement at the induction ceremony for the operational staff of the Command and Control Centre for Regular Migration in Abuja. Tunji emphasised the administration’s commitment to this initiative, outlining strategies to broaden migration oversight at every access point to the nation, such as airports, land, and maritime borders, to ensure thorough and proactive evaluations of all individuals entering.
Dr. Tunji noted the imminent launch of the Command and Control Centre, which is dedicated to addressing irregular migration. This initiative is designed to enhance domestic security and regulate the number of migrants seeking entry without valid documents. Also, the government is making progress in deploying E-Gates at international airports, aimed at streamlining the identification and pre-screening processes for travellers before they arrive in the country. He emphasised that this new initiative demands total precision, pointing out that even small mistakes in security procedures could jeopardise national safety.
Sufficient power supply will be installed to avoid system interruptions.
Furthermore, the Command and Control Centre will function with a stable power source to avoid system interruptions, strengthening the directive to ensure that no unauthorised access happens without pre-profiling. In addition, Tunji-Ojo described the vital role of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in this initiative. As the agency moves beyond its local document processing function to take on a central position in national security, the officers’ task extends to preemptively securing the nation against potential threats. He stressed that this increased responsibility requires steadfast commitment and vigilance from the officers, as the safety of citizens depends on the seamless functioning of this security infrastructure.
Therefore, the command has been upgraded to enable officers to perform objective, data-oriented evaluations instead of subjective assessments, thereby improving the precision and effectiveness of border security. During her address, Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, revealed that 123 officers and staff members have completed an intensive training program, enabling them to be assigned to the Command and Control Centre. She noted that from a starting group of 253 trainees, these individuals stood out for their outstanding performance during the training, earning a place in the subsequent phase, which involves advanced Education in data analysis and travel planning.
Importance of technology in modern border security was emphasised.
Moreover, the training program includes competencies in evaluating advanced passenger information (API) and passenger name records (PNR), equipping officers to efficiently identify and address possible security risks. The technological Infrastructure at the centre features API and PNR functionalities that enable personnel to gather and evaluate information from multiple sources, aiding in the early detection of persons of interest. Dr. MC Dike, the Deputy Comptroller General overseeing Border Management, emphasised the importance of this Technology in modern border security, as it allows for the recognition and mitigation of potential threats before they enter the country’s territory.
This system offers immigration officials the resources necessary to identify and evaluate possible threats, allowing for prompt action and alignment with global standards in managing migration. The nation faces challenges due to irregular relocation, mainly because of its strategic location between the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea. However, unregulated migration can strain any country’s resources, increase security risks, and impact socio-economic stability. As a result, the new will be acceptable as it aims to mitigate these impacts by instituting a thorough, technology-driven approach to border security. Through a strong system for pre-screening and data evaluation, the government seeks to reduce the negative impacts of irregular migration by stopping unauthorised entries.
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Alongside the Command and Control Centre, a different strategy for managing irregular relocation might include working with surrounding nations. Collaborative initiatives like partnered border surveillance, sharing of intelligence, and regional agreements on relocation could tackle relocation trends before they arrive at the region’s frontiers, thereby reducing the chances of unauthorised crossings. Lastly, enhancing domestic travel policies to align with those of neighbouring countries and enhancing local economies may help reduce undocumented relocation by tackling fundamental issues that cause individuals to move without the necessary documentation.