Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo has urged the Nigeria Immigration Service to commit to strict migration guidelines for intending migrants into the country. He said the unfettered entry of aliens through Nigeria’s porous borders poses a significant security threat.

Mr Uzodimma made the call on the occasion of the 60th-anniversary ceremony of the NIS organised by its Imo command, in Owerri, on Tuesday.

The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Placid Njoku, urged the NIS to be more proactive about illegal migration to prevent the movement of unauthorised immigrants.

According to him, if left unchecked, illegal migration could leave the country, welcoming individuals whose motives for entering Nigeria could be dangerous, thus contributing to insecurity.

“A lot of people who enter Nigeria through porous borders have no good intentions for the country and pose a serious security threat. You must therefore redouble your efforts in the area of border patrol and an insistence on strict immigration guidelines,“ he said.

Joachim Olumba, a retired comptroller of immigration, listed duties performed by the NIS to include attracting foreign direct investments through the administration of the Nigerian visa policy and air border control, among others.

The command’s comptroller, Nkechi Ezugwu, thanked the governor for providing the enabling environment for the NIS activities in Imo and promised to work collaterally with relevant stakeholders in line with the agency’s mandate.

Also speaking, the assistant comptroller-general in charge of Zone E, Angela Okoye, commended men and officers of the command for their patriotic sacrifices and assured them that the NIS management would continue to restructure for improved services and welfare of officers.

Former interior minister Emmanuel Iheanacho urged the NIS to continue to build on their successes with a renewed commitment to national security.

The event was attended by all heads of military and paramilitary outfits in Imo, religious leaders, and traditional rulers.

(NAN)