The Nigerian government claims that in only one week, security personnel detained ten individuals on INTERPOL’s watch list when they entered the country.
This was disclosed in Abuja by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tuesday inauguration of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Technology Innovation Complex.
The minister was quoted by TheCable as saying, “In the last couple of days, ten people who were on the INTERPOL and immigration wanted list were apprehended in one week.”
“Those individuals would have infiltrated Nigeria and caused havoc earlier. However, we have now informed them that Nigeria is off-limits to any criminal element under the new administration.
The newly constructed facility, according to the ministry, would monitor unmanned borders in difficult-to-reach places across the country, determine the danger level of people entering the country, and identify irregular movement patterns.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the solar power plant would save more than N300 million a year and be built to save costs and promote sustainability.
“We decided to implement an end-to-end solution. One that can power this facility with an energy solution. The facility is powered by the 0.5 KW solar power plant, which is fully operational here,” he stated.
“The human element is also essential since, while a structure can be constructed, what about the human element?”We have successfully trained 250 cops. We operate eight-hour shifts three times a day, which entails round-the-clock surveillance, as I speak.
“With this cutting-edge technology, Nigeria will save over N300 million annually, whereas previously, the country was wasting billions.
“For the first time in this nation’s history, we have more than 200 borders, and we are completely responsible for border control and protection. We also have an ECOWAS travel document that will make travel easier. We currently have an automated visa system that approves visas in 48 hours.”
Tunji-Ojo stated that he was still dedicated to helping Nigerians receive better services.
In his remarks, the president praised the Nigeria Immigration Service’s cutting-edge data technology-driven passenger monitoring facility, which within a week of its installation had flagged and arrested ten people of interest.
The president unveiled a number of facilities, including the data complex that includes the command and control centre (regular migration), NIS data centre, ECOWAS biometric card production centre, interior data centre, and a 0.5 KW solar power plant.
According to him, the centre will also improve video surveillance, particularly along the border areas, profile high-risk travellers and questionable travel patterns, and cross-reference data with other international groups.
Additionally, he stated that all pertinent government departments would be connected via the recently opened Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the NIS headquarters.
He said the project is a huge success since this cutting-edge facility would help Nigeria use technology to propel its development.
“We might have fully implemented the new passport regime by 2025. We understand that a passport should be regarded as a security document rather than a travel document. Because of what you have accomplished, this country has a high reputation among other countries as well as within ECOWAS.”
