Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa state has called on Nigeria Immigration Service NIS to collaborate with other security agencies on the prevention of cross-border criminal activities in the State.
He made the call while receiving the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Idris Jere on a courtesy visit to his office at Government House, Dutse.
Alhaji Badaru Abubakar noted that residents in the border areas always live in fear as a result of people who cross in, perpetuate crimes and retreat to their country.
The Governor, represented by the State Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Hussaini Ali Kila, explained that the state was ranked as one of the most peaceful States in the country as a result of collaboration with the government and other law enforcement agencies.
He assured that his administration would continue to take steps for a peaceful and harmonious relationship between the State and its neighbours.
Badaru Abubakar further explained that his administration had recently refurbished some operational vehicles of the Immigration service and would continue to provide the necessary support and cooperation to the Service.
Earlier, the Comptroller General said his visit to the state was to condole the government, families and the people over the death of one of the Immigration officer who was killed by some suspected Bandits on Birniwa-Galadi axis.
According to him, the incident occurred some weeks ago, when bandits attacked one of the NIS patrol bases on Birniwa-Galadi axis resulting in the killing of one officer while two others sustained injuries.
Alhaji Isah Idris Jere assured the Governor that officers and men of the NIS were ready to police the Nigerian borders to checkmate the activities of criminals crossing over to cause havoc in the country.
The CG appreciated the Jigawa State government for its untiring support and cooperation with the Nigeria Immigration Service at all times.
He added that the support would go a long way in assisting the officers to discharge their constitutional responsibility more effectively.
Alhaji Isah Idris Jere called for a shift from manual to digital border control in order to tackle terrorism and other criminal activities.
He said that the call had become necessary to tackle the incessant activities of insurgents and other criminal acts and to ensure that the borders were completely secure for the development of the country.
“For the country to secure its borders effectively, to tackle terrorism and to control the movement of people, especially bringing arms into the country, there should be a shift from manual to digital or e-border control.” the NIS boss said.
“Government should provide facilities such as high tech facilities, cameras and sensors in all its borders that can effectively detect criminal activities such as terrorism and illegal importation of arms into the country.
The Comptroller General explained that the country cannot continue with manual way of controlling people because an eye has a limit to go but when we have high tech sensors, it can go far and detect people who carry illegal arms into the Country’’ he said.
Radio Nigeria reports that the CG donated four million naira to the family of the late officer who lost his life and two who were injured as well as members of the patrol team.
COV/USMAN MOHD