Nigeria needs stronger borders to curb kidnapping menace ― Immigration

Mr Muhammad Babandede, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said a stronger border will reduce the menace of kidnappings in the country.

He said this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

Babandede, who reacted to the allegation that the kidnappings were carried out by foreigners, said that the act was not carried out majorly by foreigners.

“The number of foreigners is small when compared to Nigerians.

“The percentage does not show the majority of kidnappings are done by foreigners.

“There are a lot of Nigerian criminals and criminal groups. We should not transfer our crime to another territory. It is our problem.

“There are no kidnappings carried out in the bush (borders). Even when they kidnap, they will come and enjoy the food in the city.

“They will transfer their money to banks. They will like to drive good cars; the whole idea of kidnapping is the interest of money.

ALSO READ: Insurgency: Army cautions media against unverified information

“So we should look at other sectors than looking at foreigners,” he said.

The comptroller-general, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of e-border for the service to tackle transborder crimes.

“We now have the approval to run 88 border stations where we can see what is happening in real time online.

“There is also technological support for immigration to tackle border crimes in real time online, to add support to the military, customs, among others,” he said.

He further said that the ongoing construction of NIS N7 billion technology building would help put all records into one pool that would be needful to other law enforcement agencies.