2023 elections: Buhari orders NIS to tighten security around borders

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to tighten security around the nation’s borders before and after the 2023 general elections.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday while inaugurating the Katsina State headquarters of the service.

He said, “The order from President Muhammadu Buhari is that between now and the time we will conclude elections, you must make sure our borders are secured.

“You must make sure that our borders are perfectly secured from illegal immigrants who may want to come in to create problems during elections, or illegally participate in the elections.

“The service should live up to the directives of Mr President.”

The minister also tasked them to ensure the documentation of all migrants.

Aregbesola said that Katsina State had 400 kilometres of border lines and 14 border positions which the service needed to protect.

He said the government was upgrading the capacity of the NIS to effectively control the nation’s borders.

“We are deploying electronic digital technology to ensure 24/7 surveillance of the 5,000 kilometres border lines.

“We have already awarded the contract, so, very soon, the Comptroller-General, from his office, will be able to see what is happening anytime at any border point,” the minister said.

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muntari Lawal, commended the NIS for the project and affirmed the administration’s readiness to support the service to secure the nation’s borders.