The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has announced plans to strengthen security checks at the country’s borders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move is aimed at preventing foreign mercenaries, illegal weapons and other criminal elements from entering Nigeria.
The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, announced the move on Friday in Abuja during a sensitisation workshop for senior officers on election security, themed 'Election Monitoring and Prevention of Intimidation'.
Nandap, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Visa and Residency, Dr Franca Usiwoma Nwanneka, said the service had an important responsibility in protecting the country's borders and managing migration.
She warned that illegal migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other cross-border crimes could pose serious threats to national security.
“As we prepare for the 2027 general elections, let us be guided by the common purpose to protect our national security, uphold the rule of law, and contribute to an electoral environment in which every Nigerian can exercise their democratic rights peacefully and without intimidation,” she said.
The immigration chief stressed that the NIS needed to work closely with other security agencies to address the security challenges surrounding the elections.
“No single agency can address the complex security challenges confronting our nation in isolation,” she said, while appreciating the continued cooperation of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other security organisations.
She also reminded officers that the service must remain politically neutral and warned them against using government resources to support any political party or interest.
“Let us therefore reiterate that the Nigeria Immigration Service remains a non-partisan institution. Under no circumstances should our personnel use official resources to promote partisan interests,” she stated.
Nandap directed officers to strengthen intelligence gathering, border surveillance and security arrangements before, during and after the elections.
“You must ensure that our commands are adequately prepared before, during, and after elections through strengthening surveillance, intelligence gathering, effective deployment, and close coordination with relevant security agencies,” she said.
She further called for active participation in the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, stressing that officers must demonstrate professionalism and take responsibility for their duties.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, warned that criminals could exploit Nigeria's borders during the election period to move illegal weapons and foreign mercenaries into the country.
Ajayi, who was represented by the Deputy Director-General of Operations and Intelligence, Patrick Ikenweiwe, described the Immigration Service as a critical part of the country's security system.
“The Nigerian Immigration Service therefore stands at the first line of national defence, and its vigilance remains indispensable to a peaceful, credible exercise,” he said.
The DSS chief reaffirmed his agency's commitment to working with the NIS, particularly in monitoring land borders and other entry points.
“No single agency can secure the electoral space alone. Our strength lies in absolute synergy,” he added.
He also urged security supervisors to demonstrate leadership and ensure that their officers maintained neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
2027: Immigration moves to stop foreign mercenaries, illegal arms from entering Nigeria