Insecurity: FG Moves To Close Borders

The Federal Government is making plans to close land borders nationwide as part of moves to enhance national security, citizens safety and curb criminal activities.
This is just as President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the military to be more decisive in restoring peace to the country, particularly states troubled by bandits, ordering them “not to spare bandits” that have been killing, maiming and extorting innocent citizens.
The border-closure move which is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), according to a source, is aimed at further forestalling activities of bandits, illegal migration, influx of prohibited items and boosting security of communities considered to be at the fringes of Nigeria and its neighbours.
The closure and movement restrictions, it was gathered, would be executed jointly by all government security and intelligence outfits aimed at taming movements of persons with unclear intents.
It was gathered that all hitherto unmanned areas along large expanse of lands in border communities will be manned in such a manner deploying joint support, information sharing, coordination and back up among the security services.
The government had through Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) asked foreigners with irregular documentation residing in the country to register within six months from July, 2019.
Checks at the approved border routes are expected to increase for travellers ostensibly taking advantage of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of persons and goods within West Africa.
“The government seems worried that neighbouring countries have allowed their areas to be access points into Nigeria for illegal migration by some suspected criminal elements and shipment of banned or prohibited items that undermine national security and economy.
“Insecurity in some parts of the country has affected agricultural activities and is capable of threatening food production as some farmers have fled their fields due to incessant attacks by suspected foreign bandits,” the source stated.
Addressing 15 officers and 160 soldiers of the 17th Army Brigade and Nigerian Air Force 213 Operational Base in Katsina, under the “Operation Hadarin Daji’’, at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport, Buhari, said “This group was formed by the military to secure the geo-political zone from the activities of bandits. Fundamentally, it is your responsibilit to secure the country.