From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said that illegal immigrants are behind most criminal activities being perpetrated in the country.
Kwara State Comptroller of NIS, Compt. Aminu Shamsuddin, made the statement while speaking with journalists yesterday, in Ilorin, during the 60th anniversary of the Service.
The Comptroller said the country is surrounded by francophone countries, whose nationals desperately love to stay in Nigeria. He said the immigrants are desperate to enter Nigeria due to socioeconomic hardship in their countries, adding that NIS had to take extra measures to scrutinise and check every immigrant before entry.
“These people think Nigeria is a paradise and, truly, we are the mother of Africa. They always struggle to be part of us and are ready to spend a huge sum of money to obtain a Nigerian passport. They also get married to Nigerians in their bid to become Nigerians, which is why we painstakingly check every immigrant. We have undergone training and can easily ascertain if someone is a Nigerian or not,” he said.
Shamsuddin explained that processes of scrutiny, sometimes, make issuance of international passports take some time, thereby enjoining Nigerians to show understanding and patience.
He said NIS is closer to the people more than other paramilitary agencies, due to services they provide to the people. The Immigration boss named some of their services to include provision of passports and visas to non-Nigerians, both at home and abroad, among other functions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Comptroller said the Ag. Comptroller General of NIS, Mrs Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, has directed all the states in the federation to celebrate the remarkable event.
The comptroller presented awards to best officers in the state; as Alabi Israel won the 2023 Best Parade Officer, while Abdulrafiu Lukman got the Best Parade Commander of the Year.
The Best Performing Officer goes to Isah Muhammed, while Rasak Aliyu won the Most Resourceful Officer of the Year and, finally, the Best Provost of the Year goes to AbdulBashir AbdulWahab.