The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has stated that illegal immigrants are behind most criminal activities being perpetrated in the country.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday during activities lined up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NIS in the country, the Immigration boss said that the country is surrounded by francophone countries, whose nationals are vulnerable and desperately love to stay in Nigeria.
The Comptroller, who highlighted that the immigrants are desperate to enter Nigeria due to socioeconomic hardships in their countries, added that the Service had to take extra measures to scrutinize and check every immigrant before they are allowed entry.
“These people are in haste to make money. They see us as people with lots of money. We have minerals, oil, and even the water we drink. Their own water has to be purified before drinking, unlike here. So, they see here as Paradise.
“These people think Nigeria is a Paradise, and truly we are the mother of Africa. They always scramble to be part of us. They are ready to spend a huge sum of money to obtain a Nigerian passport. They also get married to Nigerians in their bid to be Nigerians. That’s why we painstakingly check every immigrant. We only allow those with regular documentation and passports, among other requirements.
“You know we undergo training, and we can ascertain if you are Nigerians or not,” he said.
The Immigration boss, who explained that the processes of scrutiny sometimes make the issuance of enhanced passports take some time, enjoined Nigerians to show understanding and patience.
He advised Nigerians to start the process of getting their international passport or do its renewal early enough to guard against hasty and desperate antics, saying that nationals in developed countries get passports for their children immediately after they are born.
He also said that the agency is closer to the people than other paramilitary agencies due to the services they provide to people.
These services, he said, include the provision of passports, visas to non-Nigerians both at home and abroad, among other functions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Comptroller said that the Acting Comptroller General of NIS, Mrs Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, has directed all the States of the federation to celebrate the remarkable event.
The comptroller presented awards to the best officers in the state; Alabi Israel won the 2023 Best Parade Officer, while Abdulrafiu Lukman got the Best Parade Commander of the Year.
The Best Performing Officer goes to Isah Muhammed, while Rasak Aliyu won the Most Resourceful Officer of the Year, and finally, the Best Provost of the Year goes to AbdulBashir AbdulWahab.
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