The leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has pledged its readiness to end the influx of criminals, irregular migration and illegal mining in Osun as part of efforts to strengthen the security of lives and property of the citizenry in the State.
NIS also restated its commitment to partnering the State to secure its borders by engaging in adequate screening of all immigrants who may wish to either travel out or come into the State so as to safeguard the State from encroachment.
The assurances were given by the Assistant Comptroller General and Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘F’ of Nigeria Immigration Service, comprising Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States, Mrs. Dora Amahian, during a courtesy visit to the Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, in his office.
Speaking during the familiarisation visit, Amahian said that, in furtherance of its constitutional responsibilities, the agency was ready to scale up its services to ensure adequate monitoring of all immigrants, particularly foreigners visiting and residing in the State.
She assured that the NIS would continue to strengthen its roles of regular investigation as regards proper data management and profiling of residents in order to ensure that immigrants in the State comply with the laws of the land.
She lauded the establishment of multiethnic committees and other local security outfits in Osun which she noted had resulted in the rating of the State as the most peaceful in the Federation.
She said: “Your Excellency, recent events in the country have shown that security is no longer a child’s play as it is not an exclusive preserve of any group or individual. Rather, it is inclusive of all and sundry. Therefore, as an arm of the nation’s security architecture and first line security agency, we are soliciting for your Excellency’s continuous partnership in facilitating our efforts at ensuring a secured and peaceful State.
“One of the measures adapted by the Service is the E-registration of all Immigrants in the State. It is a well known fact that indigenes of Osun travel a lot, especially to some ECOWAS countries e.g Cote d’ivoire. Notable among them are the people of Ejigbo, Iwo and Ede Local Government Areas.
“The long-time relationship between our people and the citizens of Ghana and Cote d’ivoire has resulted in the influx of these nationals into the aforementioned Local Government Areas. Consequently, Immigration presence in these Local Government Areas is compulsory, mainly to control and cater for their needs in order to ensure that they are residing in Nigeria according to the extant rules and regulations of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“In an effort to stem the worrisome trend of irregular migration of Nigerians outside the country, the Comptroller-General of Immigration initiated a documentary ‘the missing link’ to illustrate the dangers of irregular and unsafe migration. This is with a view to enlightening members of the public to avoid them becoming victims of human trafficking.
“To this end, your assistance is hereby sought in issuing a directive to air the documentary in the State media outfit and distribute CD’s to the secondary and tertiary institutions in the State.
“To achieve effective control of foreigners in the State, the Zonal Office is contemplating establishing a monitoring unit that will complement the efforts of our officers in the State.”
The NIS Assistant Comptroller General who lauded the Governor’s passion for good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy, said, “We have seen your ability to maintain peace as evident in the peaceful co-existence of the diverse people in the State.”
She stated further: “Your quest for infrastructural development in the State is outstanding. This has manifested in the massive road construction and rehabilitation in various parts of the State. The ongoing construction of Olaiya Flyover, which is aimed at easing traffic challenge in Osogbo, the State Capital, is a manifestation of your desire to make life bearable for the good people of Ipinle Omoluabi.
“You have successfully rebuilt and rehabilitated many schools and healthcare facilities across the State, which has helped to revitalise education and health services with a view to regaining its position as one of the States with a very large number of educated people in the country.
“It is on record that you have grown the revenue base of the State from what it used to be to the present situation where the economic fortune of the State is rebounding because of prudent management of the scarce resources. In so doing, you have been able to put behind the era of labour unrest in the State.
“For all these innovations to bear the desired results, security of lives and property is paramount and your awareness of this has made your Excellency to establish a cordial relationship with all the security agencies in the State. The establishment of Western Nigeria Security Network called “Operation Amotekun” is a laudable step aimed at complementing the efforts of the Federal Government at ensuring lasting security of livea and property.”
In his remarks, the Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, called for a robust and workable modality capable of strengthening the bond of collaboration and partnership among the security agencies.
He urged the NIS leadership to continue to support the State in its efforts to flush out criminal elements in the State.
Oyetola who lamented over the increased rate of influx of criminals, particularly illegal miners in the State, sought for continued security support to end the menace.
He applauded NIS for its commitment to safeguarding the country from being encroached by illegal immigrants since its establishment.
