Federal Government seeks efficient policing of borders

The Federal Government on Monday declared that it would tighten security in its global land and sea borders with seven nations through efficient policing.

While guaranteeing that it would “never compromise an inch of Nigeria’s integrity”, the government also required the collaboration of significant borders administrative structures in Nigeria and incorporation of traditional rulers in the border communities to realise the obligation of guaranteeing security.

The resolution came in the midst of reported invasion of foreigners who were stated to be stimulating banditry, killing and other forms of insurgency in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, a parastatal of the Presidency, Adamu Agaji and Director (International Boundaries), Mustapha Ribadu, said these during the celebration of the 11th edition of the African Border Day with the theme, ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for building the Africa we want.’

During the occasion, Ribadu recognised the working relationship with several security agencies in Nigeria.

As indicated by him, the task of the commission in the resolution of the border would, certainly, offer the security agencies, “with clear limits of Nigeria’s territorial borders for effective policing and defence.”

Ribadu said, “Let me assure you that the NBC would never compromise an inch of Nigeria’s integrity. However, we are committed to respecting the international laws and treaty obligations as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

“As agreed by African leaders in the 1964 Cairo Declaration on the principle of inviolability of the African borders, Nigeria has the obligation of respecting the colonial treaties, as inherited from the European powers at the time of independence.”

Adaji recognised that Nigeria, as a sovereign country shared global land and sea borders with seven nations, stating that the performance on the status of Nigeria’s international borders by Ribadu had offered insights into our activities along Nigeria’s global border with each adjoining nation.

He said, “No doubt, providing effective policing across the length of these expansive territorial birders requires not only the commitment of Nigeria’s security operatives, but also the support of relevant border management structures in Nigeria and integration of our patriotic traditional authorities in the borderland communities who are the gateways to the nation.

“These borderland communities, through their cross border socio-cultural platforms as homogenous communities, would obviously play an important role in securing Nigeria and building the peaceful and prosperous Africa we want.”