The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized the importance of collaboration among Sahel and West African countries to improve information and data sharing for enhanced border control.
He made the statement on Tuesday during an interaction with the press at the Summit on Border Security in London.
“There is a need for collaboration of countries within the Sahel and West African sub-region for better international partnerships and information dissemination,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “We need more data sharing and better collaborations to make sure we don’t just solve the problem but we stop the problem from happening.”
He also stressed the significance of proactive measures, noting that countries are increasingly focusing on criminalizing irregular migration rather than responding reactively.
“The major takeaway from this summit is proactiveness and not just being reactive as countries are now more poised to criminalising irregular migration,” he said. “So this summit is a wonderful one because it brings an opportunity for ministers in border control to make sure we are all able to manage our borders to secure our countries.”
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the cross-border nature of organized immigration crimes and the need for collective action and shared solutions. “Organised immigration crimes are peculiar to any nation but cut across, hence, the need for collaboration and shared solutions.”
He further explained that Nigeria has made significant strides in border control through automation and additional measures to combat irregular migration.
“Nigeria has a border control solution because we are not just a destination point. We have automated our solutions as there are more measures in place to ensure the borders are secured and to ensure irregular migration is brought to an end,” he added. “We can’t afford to lose the battle before we start it, and so we know that with this kind of summit, as a united front, we will effectively combat this menace.”
The summit, which gathered over 30 global leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, focused on critical issues related to border control and organized immigration crime.
In related news, the Nigeria Immigration Service reported the arrest of 51 illegal immigrants in Nasarawa State on Tuesday.
The migrants, who were apprehended in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area, are all from Mali and are aged between 17 and 25.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, confirmed the arrest, revealing that 11 of the individuals are female, while 40 are male.
Akinlabi further shared that preliminary investigations suggest the migrants may have fallen victim to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 51 illegal immigrants in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The illegal migrants, all Malians aged between 17 and 25, were arrested at their hideouts following credible intelligence. Eleven of them are female, while 40 are male,” he stated.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that they may have been victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. None of them presented any valid travel documents or residence permits during interrogation,” he added.
The arrested individuals have been taken into NIS custody for further profiling and investigation.
