Niger coup: Emir urges NIS to intensify surveillance, vigilance along borders
Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, the Emir of Gwandu and Chairman Kebbi Council of Chiefs, has urged Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to intensify surveillance and vigilance along borders considering the recent Coup D’etat in Niger Republic.
Bashir gave the advice at a paper presentation event marking the 60th year anniversary of the NIS in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
He said, ” Given the fact that we are a state bordering Niger Republic; the NIS should intensify surveillance and vigilance in view of the recent coup d’etat that took place in our neighboring country, Niger Republic.”
Bashar, represented by Alhaji Siddiku Ibrahim-Saad, ‘Ubandoman Gwandu’, congratulated and commended the NIS for its effort in combatting trafficking in persons and illegal immigration in the country.
In her remarks, Mrs Rabi Bashir-Nuhu, the Comptroller of NIS in the state, said the event was part of the NIS activities marking its 60 year anniversary of establishment in the country, adding that the NIS transformed from a department to a full entity in 1963.
“1st of August, 1963, the Immigration Department became an entity of its own, as it was formally established by an Act of Parliament, CAP 171, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and became Nigeria Immigration Service,” she said.
In his submission, Alhaji Sambo Gwandu, retired Assistant Comptroller- General of NIS, recommended that a policy regarding the issuance of Nigerian passport should be reviewed to make it easy for an ordinary citizen.
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“Despite the achievements recorded through the adoption and use of advanced technology in its operation, the service is currently facing challenges in the issuance of improved Nigeria passport.
“Before the new policy, citizen could get Nigeria standard passport within 72 hours at most.
“With the adoption of a new policy now, if care is not taken, citizens applying for the passport will take three months period or more to obtain a passport or seek for waver – a provision that is not open to ordinary citizen, ” he said.
Gwandu, while congratulating the officers and men of NIS for the anniversary, commended the Acting Comptroller-General of NIS, Mrs Adepoju Wuraola, for the initiative of the anniversary celebration.
