Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger has urged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to intensify efforts to ensure strict migration guidelines for migrants coming into the country from neighbouring countries.
The governor stated this during the 60th Anniversary celebration of NIS with the theme ‘Enhancing Seamless Migration’ on Thursday in Minna.
Bago, represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, commended NIS for sustaining and strengthening the country’s security through effective and efficient Border Security and Immigration management for years.
“I am sure that it has been 60 years of triumphs and challenges, but overall, the service has indeed grown to some enviable heights,” said the governor.
He thereby expressed optimism about the improvements in the issuance of travel documents/ International passports to Nigerians within and outside the country and the issuance of residence permits to foreigners in Nigeria.
Bago, however, pledged the state government support to NIS to aid in the discharge of their responsibilities.
In his address, the Comptroller of NIS in Niger State, Mr. Samuel Nongogo, said the event was to commemorate the establishment of NIS and the significant milestone achieved so far.
He explained further that although NIS was a lead Agency in immigration Management, it also deals with issues of Terrorism and Kidnappings which were trans-border crimes.
Nongo noted that there was a need for the government at all levels must invest in migration management in order to forestall and minimise trans-border crimes.
“Citizens must change their orientation to stop harbouring irregular migrants because of the dangers it protends,” he declared.
He then appealed to the State Government to support the service with logistics to enable them to police the country’s borders.
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