The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says following the situation in Niger Republic, it has deployed personnel to check all the unorthodox roads through which foreigners may likely infiltrate.

Mustapha Sani, the NIS comptroller in charge of Jibia command in Katsina, disclosed this at a joint celebration with the state’s command to commemorate the service at 60.

According to him, with the current situation, the borders have been closed, and there are restrictions on movement along the areas.

He, therefore, advised Nigerians planning to travel to Niger to stay safe at home, saying that only Nigerians returning home were allowed to cross the border.

“NIS has deployed its personnel to mount all the unorthodox roads through which some of the foreigners may likely infiltrate. You know Katsina and the Niger Republic,” stated Mr Sani. “We are a homogeneous society, with the same language, religion and culture, but we have a colonial boundary which we must respect.”

While addressing officers and men of the command, Mr Sani said the service had been transformed to modern immigration, with Nigerian passports among the best in the world.

He said the Nigerian passport was well protected with many security features that made it impossible to be forged because of its biometric nature and personalised.

“There’s no way one can use your passport because God has created us unique, especially with our fingerprints. Katsina state is among the only two states in the country with special border command, saying that they are using MIDAS for the registration of passengers,” Mr Sani stated. “As it is now, we are trying to have an e-border. Just recently, our ICT officers came to the command for a survey so that they can come and install some of the gadgets.”

“With this development, whatever we do, can be viewed from the headquarters,” added the NIS comptroller. 

He advised them to be computer literate, as the service was moving, saying, “If you are not computer literate, that means you may not have a place in the service.” 

(NAN)