The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday graduated its maiden batch of female armed squad in its training school in Ahoada in Rivers State.

Speaking during the passing out parade ceremony, NIS Comptroller-General, Isa Jere, tasked the new graduates to put the knowledge and training learnt to good use.

Represented by an Assistant Comptroller-General, Usman Babangida, Mr Jere charged the officers to ensure the security of the country’s borders and the citizens lives and property.

The NIS spokesperson, Tony Akuneme, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He quoted Mr Jere as stating that “Today, we are witnessing the Passing Out Parade of 61 officers, all female, who have undergone rigorous physical training on weapons handling among others.

“These officers have indeed demonstrated their readiness and capacity to stand toe-to-toe with the male as they go out there to serve our fatherland.

“May I also inform you that the service presently has over 1000 personnel undergoing the pre-basic training programme in Immigration Training School, Kano and the Customs Training School, Goron Dutse, Kano.

“The C-G said the essence of the training was to ensure the readiness of its personnel, both physically and mentally to compete favourably with their counterparts across the world in the performance of core Immigration duties.

“The task before you is indeed daunting, but I enjoin you to be focused and disciplined at all times because these are the precursors for success in the course of carrying out your duties.

“As you pass out of this noble institution today, you must be prepared and ready at all times because your services will be needed in the areas of general security, border duties, escort duties, care for female detainees, search at ports of entry and deployment for special operations with other sister agencies whenever the need arose.

“Therefore, put the knowledge and training you have gained in the course of this training into use, to enhance your capacity and prepare you for these tasks,” he said.

(NAN)