Why Border Closure Is Good For Nigeria’s Security — Babandede

Mohammed Babandede, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Monday said the closure of Nigeria's borders is good for the nations' security.

AllNews had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the immediate reopening of the borders on December 16, 2020, after closing it on August 2019 to curtail the illegal importation of drugs, small arms, and agricultural products into the country.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Newsnight, Babandede stressed the need for better cooperation with other neighbouring countries to tackle illegal entry and criminal activities.

The immigration boss also called for more border security to tackle smuggling and other nefarious activities around the border and its communities.

He said, “It is good Nigeria closes its borders. It is good Nigeria muzzles up a little bit to show that we are a country and that we care about our security and economy.”

He explained that during the over 12 months the Federal Government shut the nation’s borders, neighbouring countries understood the political will of the current administration.

“Nigeria has spoken with a political voice through actions that is why you see greater cooperation from our neighbours.

READ ALSO: Immigration Boss To Travelers: No COVID-19 Test, No Entry

“I am glad in terms of immigration, within the period we closed the borders, we have received a lot of people who have left our territory through the unlawful path. Those people, we have taken to court and prosecuted them,” he added.