Illegal Migrants’ Activities At Liverpool, Falomo Jetties Bother NIS

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has expressed worry over illegal activities of some migrants at Falomo and Liverpool jetties in the Ikoyi and Apapa, Lagos State.
The Service called for renewed synergy with the Nigerian Navy to enhance effective marine border security in the State.
Assistant Comptroller–General of Immigration, Zone A, Ikeja, Kunle Osisanya, expressed concern about the development during a visit to the management of the Western Naval Command in Apapa.
“The attention of the Zone A has been drawn to the rising activities of migrants at Falomo and Liverpool jetty areas of the State, where passengers boarded speed boats to Badagry but possibly end up at Port-Novo in the Benin Republic.
“Similarly, passengers used to embark on waterways transportation illegally from Porto Novo through the riverine routes to Lagos.
“This happens despite the presence of officials designated to man the marine border posts along that axis.
“This is the major reason NIS in Zone ‘A’ is calling for renewed support from the Western Naval Command to secure the Nigerian territorial waters within Zone ‘A’ for enhanced national security,” he said.
Osisanya said such collaborative effort between NIS and Nigerian Navy would help the nation in strengthening her economic activities along the marine border posts, and also check their preventing porousness.
The ACG, who was accompanied by the management team of NIS from Zone ‘A’ to the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, noted that the team was also acting on the directives of the Acting Comptroller–General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (ACGIS), Idris Jere.
The ACG during the visit said part of the mandatory service required from the Zone, which he oversees, is the security of land and marine borders within the zone.
“The NIS is requesting for a stronger and renewed synergy with the Nigerian Navy in the security of marine border post within Zone A”, he stated.
Earlier,Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Yakubu Wambai, expressed delight at the visit by the NIS management from Zone ‘A’ and promised the Command’s readiness to support their operation
He noted that the Western Naval Command had always had “a very good” working relationship with other security agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Services, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Police.