The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has warned the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) against allowing “bad guys” to enter the country.

He urged the acting NIS Comptroller-General, Idris Jere, to effectively secure the nation’s borders and ensure nobody slipped in from outside to cause any harm.

The minister’s spokesman, Sola Fasure, who disclosed this in a statement, on Tuesday, in Abuja, quoted the minister as giving the advice when federal commissioners and board secretary of the NSCDC, Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and NIS Board (CDCFIB), visited to present Mr Jere.

“It is important also that you ease the passage of persons that will add value to our country. You will maintain the delicate balance of stopping the bad guys and attracting the good guys,” said Mr Aregbesola.

On the administration of passport issuance, the minister stated that Nigerians desirous of getting passports must get it expeditiously and without losing their dignity in the process.

“You are pretty much aware of the reforms being carried out, foremost of which is in passport administration. Being a passport officer, you will appreciate this challenge more than most,” he explained. “I have no doubt that you will be able to drive this reform and accelerate its success. The passport is the highest affirmation of Nigerian citizenship.”

The minister further noted that the “extent to which we succeed in putting it in the hands of any Nigerian desirous of it expeditiously and without losing their dignity is the extent to which we succeed as an agency of government.”

He demanded that there must be zero tolerance of “touting and any form of corruption.”

The minister added that the acting NIS boss must build on the achievements of his predecessor in office.

(NAN)