The Federal Government has disclosed plans to deploy drones for monitoring and protection of the country’s vast borders.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking at a press conference where she outlined the activities to mark this year’s International Migrants’ Day.
She said the Federal Government was in discussion with a Chinese giant, Huawei, to deploy Artificial Intelligence to secure the borders.
The CG allayed fears raised over the use of drones in security operations following the accidental bombing in Kaduna, explaining that the gadgets would only monitor and relay information on the go.
“We don’t use bombs, ours is to survey and gather intelligence. We also have boots on the ground,” she added, saying the Service was improving existing measures to ensure the security of Nigerian borders.
Speaking about the activities of smugglers, the CG said the NIS had arrested no fewer than 522 human traffickers and their victims in 2023.
She described the smuggling of migrants as a serious transnational crime that posed significant challenges to governments around the world, including Nigeria.
Adepoju said that the illicit trade not only exploited vulnerable individuals and put their lives at risk but also undermined the integrity of national borders and security.
The NIS boss said that the International Migrants’ Day was meant to galvanise efforts to prevent and combat crime, protect migrants and address the root causes and factors that contributed to the proliferation of human smuggling networks.
“As a nation, Nigeria stands firm in its commitment to prevent and combat it, protecting the welfare and dignity of our citizens,” she said.
The week-long activities will involve a sensitisation programme in parks, schools and other public places across the country.
By Joshua Odeyemi
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