The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Samuel Adebayo, has called for collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service on intelligence sharing given the agency’s access to Nigerians and foreigners’ personal data.

Maj.-Gen Adebayo stated this when he led a delegation of principal officers on a working visit to the NIS headquarters, in Abuja, on Wednesday, according to a statement by the NIS spokesman, James Sunday, issued to journalists on Thursday.

Maj.-Gen Adebayo commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making NIS a leading immigration service that was evolving world-class service delivery, with a record of uploading over 150,000 stolen and lost travel documents.

According to him, this called for applause as it makes Nigeria the first African country and the 54th in the world in achieving the feat.

Comptroller-General of the agency, Muhammad Babandede, said security services must endeavour to share intelligence in real-time and work together to end the country’s security challenges.

He added that the security agencies could effectively overcome crimes by deploying integrated intelligence machinery to decimate the bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in the country.

Mr Babandede also pointed out that the criminal elements transforming into various organised criminal groups attacking innocent and defenceless citizens could be dealt with through collaboration.

The NIS centre (Technology Building), recently launched by Mr Buhari, is expected to serve as a platform for synergy between the NIS and other agencies, both local and international, to enhance national security.

The centre can share, query, analyse, and provide intelligence on Nigerians and non-Nigerians’ biodata, holders of passports, either as residents or on transit.