#muhammadbabandede

A suspected human trafficker with five female victims enroute Niger Republic to Europe have been arrested by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). The Comptroller General of the service, Muhammad Babandede, disclosed this in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Sunday James, on Saturday in Abuja. He added that the arrest was made by the operatives at Kongolam border, Katsina State. Babandede reiterated that days of crossing National frontiers without proper documentation and melting into border communities was over, as the Special Border Corps (SBC) and regular border control officers were on their toes 24/7. He said that the SBC and regular border control officers were patrolling with the aim of enforcing adequate border security and control, while human mobility was regulated in line with Federal Government directives. The CG congratulated the team at Kongolam for being at alert to their duty and operating a water tight control which was a well organised patrol along the Flanks. He said their dedication was due to the various trainings, operational exercises and drills they have been exposed to thereby bringing out the best in them. “I want to commend the Katsina Command for making it difficult for Traffickers and Human Smugglers to pass through the border,” he said. Babandede said the suspect and the 5 female victims had been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Kano Zonal office for further necessary action in line with NIS mandate. Read the full article

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) says it will meet with Chairmen of Local Government Areas of Enugu State towards a hitch-free E-registration of irregular migrants in the state. The NIS Comptroller in the state, Ayodele Arogundade, disclosed this on Monday in Enugu during a courtesy visit to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. He said the exercise to be carried out at both state and local government levels would ensure internal security of lives and property of such areas. He appealed to the governor to facilitate a crucial meeting of all the council chairmen in the state whom he described as critical stakeholders in the project. Arogundade said such meeting would enable the command to adequately enlighten the council chairmen and other stakeholders on the importance of the registration exercise. “The exercise will enable officers make extensive efforts to identify and document every non-Nigerian residing in Enugu State,” he said. He said the desire of the NIS was to strengthen the internal security of the component units of the country. “We will continue to operate within the realms of our extant laws to check, control and monitor the presence and activities of non-Nigerians in Enugu state,” he said. The comptroller commended the governor for his foresight and proactive measures in constituting a sectoral ad-hoc committee on security to enhance the peace and safety of lives and property of residents of the state. Arogundade said the service was pleased with the cordial relationship between the NIS and the state government. Responding, Ugwuanyi said his administration would continue to provide enabling environment for all agencies of government to thrive in the state. He said the request made by the comptroller would be addressed and assured him of greater collaboration. Read the full article