The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between Sahel and West African countries to enhance information sharing and border control effectiveness. Speaking on the sidelines of the Summit on Border Security in London on Tuesday, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of international partnerships to address the challenges of border security and irregular migration.
He emphasised that countries within the Sahel and West African regions must work together to ensure better data exchange, which will not only help resolve border issues but also prevent them from occurring in the first place. “We need more data sharing and better collaborations to make sure we don’t just solve the problem but stop the problem from happening,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the summit’s key takeaway was the need for proactive action, rather than simply responding to incidents. He pointed out that nations are now increasingly focused on criminalizing irregular migration and ensuring better border management. “This summit is a wonderful one because it brings an opportunity for ministers in border control to ensure we are all able to manage our borders to secure our countries,” he added.
The Minister also highlighted that organized immigration crimes are not just limited to individual countries but are a regional issue, thus reinforcing the need for shared solutions and cooperation. He reiterated that Nigeria has automated its border control systems, with additional measures in place to secure its borders and curb irregular migration.
“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,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
The summit, which brought together over 30 global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, focused on critical issues surrounding border security and the growing threat of organized immigration crime.
In a related development, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) reported the arrest of 51 illegal immigrants in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The migrants, all from Mali and aged between 17 and 25, were apprehended based on credible intelligence. Eleven of the arrested individuals are female, while 40 are male. Preliminary investigations suggest the migrants may be victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as none of them possessed valid travel documents or residence permits.
The arrested migrants have been taken into NIS custody for further profiling and investigation, as authorities continue their efforts to tackle illegal immigration and human trafficking in the country.
