The House of Representatives is set to review the nation’s border security framework as part of its priorities toward safeguarding citizens’ welfare and protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Speaker of the House, Dr. Abbas Tajuddeen, announced this while inaugurating an ad-hoc committee on border security at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Represented by the House Minority Whip, Ali Isah Jessy, the Speaker insisted that the nation’s lingering insecurity cause was neither religion nor ethnicity but instead criminal exploitation of the Nigeria’s porous borders.
He described as unfortunate how criminals are using the border corridors for smuggling, irregular migration, human trafficking, and other illicit activities, stressing that such act can further undermine national unity and security of the country.
The committee Chairman Alhaji Isah Anka, assured that the panel would develop practical strategies and recommendations if properly implemented would help tackle cross-border crimes and restore public confidence in national security.
Isah Anka, who described the assignment as crucial national duty said all hands must be on deck to rid the country out of the menace of arms smuggling, drugs and human trafficking.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior Dr Magdalene Ajani, advocated urgent review on the Nigeria’s border security laws, funding models, and operational systems to meet the current reality.
The permanent Secretary maintained that Nigeria’s vast and pourus borders however, remain vulnerable to criminal networks and the absence of a coordinated national border policy has weakened inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-sharing.
Radio Nigeria correspondent at the National Assembly report that the ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the House within six weeks for further legislative action.
COV/ TSIBIRI
