In a move to enhance national security and address the challenges of porous borders, the Federal Government inaugurated 123 officers into the newly established Command and Control Centre at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters in Abuja.
The ceremony, held Monday, was presided over by Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, alongside NIS Comptroller-General, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap.
The Centre, designed for real-time surveillance of Nigeria’s land, maritime, and air borders, has integrated infrastructure linked with Interpol and global security agencies. This enables the facility to pre-profile passengers, enhancing capabilities to intercept persons of interest before they reach Nigeria. “These facilities can identify persons of interest even before they board flights to Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The Minister also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu will soon commission newly installed e-gates at Lagos and Abuja airports. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that Nigeria’s strategic location among 10 African nations, as well as its Gulf of Guinea oil reserves, underscores the need for robust border protection.
With the new Centre operational, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the expanded role of the NIS in the national security framework, moving beyond document processing to active security duties. The facility, utilizing the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), will facilitate real-time analysis and tracking of passenger movements to curb irregular migration and potential threats.
Addressing the newly inducted officers, Tunji-Ojo encouraged diligence, stressing a “zero tolerance for error” policy, with structured shifts to prevent fatigue. Comptroller-General Nandap added that this induction marks a significant milestone, with officers undergoing specialized training in data analysis and threat management.
The launch of this Centre reflects the government’s commitment to bolstering national security through technology and enhanced border management capabilities.
