The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in response to national security challenges, has completed the training of 250 personnel of the Service to be deployed to the nation’s borders.
The personnel, who will constitute part of a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) charged with strengthening national security, especially at the nation’s borders, commenced training at the NIS’ apex training Institution, the Command and Staff College, Sokoto, on November 19, 2021.
The rigorous training took place under the watch of the Commandant of the Institution, Comptroller Immigration Service (CIS), CE Okafor, Phd, fsi pcc+, the Provost Marshal of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) A Adamu, the National Commander RRS, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), GAA Cory and a crack team of instructors who were on hand to drill the officers for the challenges ahead.
The Acting Comptroller-General of Immigration Service (ACGIS), Isah Jere Idris, on assumption of office on September 10, 2021 hinged his administration’s policy thrust on:
*Review of border security strategies to overhaul the Service’s Border Management Policies and Operations.
*Critical assessment of Passport Operations, with a view to finding lasting solution to the incessant Passport Booklet Scarcity and;
*Improved Staff welfare through massive capacity building and entrepreneurial training for officers and men of NIS
Towards fulfillment of his promises and in response to the mandate of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, that he should effectively secure the country’s borders, the ACGIS promptly ordered the training of the RRS.
The Squad is to complement another arm of the NIS, the Border Corps, at the border Posts, to effectively monitor and guard the expansive land border area of Nigeria. They are also to collaborate with other security Agencies in efforts to keep Nigeria safe and secure to enhance economic activities.
A source at the institution said that the RRS as a Special Unit comprises officers and men who are mentally and physically prepared to take on the daunting task of ensuring the security of the nation’s borders. He said that the NIS, with the resources available to her will continue to pursue policies aimed at achieving her core mandate of Border Management and other functions assigned to her by the Immigration Act, 2015.
He said it is hoped that the Federal Government will encourage the NIS by ensuring adequate funding and other necessary support for the Service, to ensure that all threats at the nation’s borders are effectively contained so that Nigeria can be a better, safer and more secured country.
