The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for collaboration with the Sahel and West African countries on information and data sharing for effective border control.
He made the call on Tuesday while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the Summit on Border Security in London.
“There is a need for collaboration of countries within the Sahel and West African sub-region for better international partnerships and information dissemination.
“We need more data sharing and better collaborations to make sure we don’t just solve the problem but we stop the problem from happening.
“The major takeaway from this summit is proactiveness and not just being reactive as countries are now more poised to criminalising irregular migration.
“So this summit is a wonderful one because it brings an opportunity for ministers in border control to make sure we are all able to manage our borders to secure our countries,” Tunji-Ojo said.
According to him, organised immigration crimes are peculiar to any nation but cut across, hence, the need for collaboration and shared solutions.
“Nigeria has a border control solution because we are not just a destination point. We have automated our solutions as there are more measures in place to ensure the borders are secured and to ensure irregular migration is brought to an end.
“We can’t afford to lose the battle before we start it, and so we know that with this kind of summit, as a united front, we will effectively combat this menace,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
NAN reports that the UK summit brought together over 30 global leaders, including UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to discuss critical issues surrounding border control and organised immigration crime
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service, on Tuesday, announced the arrest of 51 illegal immigrants in Nasarawa State.
According to the NIS, the illegal immigrants, who were apprehended in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, are all from Mali and are between the ages of 17 and 25.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, stating that 11 of them are female, while 40 are male.
He said a preliminary investigation conducted by the service suggests that the migrants may be victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Akinlabi said, “The Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 51 illegal immigrants in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“The illegal migrants, all Malians aged between 17 and 25, were arrested at their hideouts following credible intelligence. Eleven of them are female, while 40 are male.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that they may have been victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. None of them presented any valid travel documents or residence permits during interrogation.”
Akinlabi added that the migrants had been taken into NIS custody and were undergoing further profiling and investigation.