NIS Refuses 10,401 Illegal Migrants Entry, Repatriates Others

The Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, yesterday in Abuja said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had refused entry into the country to 10,401 illegal migrants.

Moro also said that 8,337 illegal migrants were also repatriated from the country.

The minister, who made this known at the 2013 Ministerial Platform, said the illegal migrants denied access into the country were mainly from the Cameroon, Niger and Benin Republics.

He further said that the aliens repatriated were from Niger Republic, adding that Nigeria had witnessed several instances where foreigners crossed the country’s borders to perpetrate crimes, including terrorism.

“In order to check this menace, President Goodluck Jonathan directed the closure of some borders in Borno in January 2012. Those borders were immediately closed to curb the influx of illegal aliens.

“As a result, 1,0401 from the Cameroon, Benin and Niger Republics, among others, were refused entry while 8,337 aliens from Niger were repatriated,’’ Moro said.

He said that the influx of illegal aliens into the country through its 1,497 illegal and 84 legal routes constituted a security risk to the country

Moro said the NIS had been working with state governments and other security agencies to ease out foreigners without valid documents, and without prejudice to the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons.

He explained that the ECOWAS protocol gave rights to citizens of the sub-region to enter, reside and establish businesses in member countries.

Moro said the ministry was working with the private sector to construct plazas at different borders into the country to discourage illegal entry.

“When this illegal migrants know that they can carry out legitimate businesses at the borders, they will be discouraged from trying to force their way into the country,’’ the minister said.

He said the ministry was also putting in place other measures like the electronic passenger registration system for the audit trail of passengers into the country.

“Finger printing equipment is also being provided in the land borders while the Mobil Border Patrol unit is being strengthened for effective surveillance,’’ he said.

He said four International Airports located in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt had been provided with automated immigration passenger clearance system to authenticate signature on travel documents.

He said that the authentication system would reduce the tendency for migrants to be involved in acts of terrorism.