Immigration Captures 4, 378 On E-Migrant Registration Exercise Nationwide
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that it has successfully captured 4, 378 migrants under its migrant e-registration exercise currently ongoing in the country.
This is as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has stressed the need to strengthen the country’s Immigration Service to address illegal cross-border movement.
Babandede disclosed that in Abuja alone, the NIS has registered 2, 175 migrants, noting that majority of those who registered were staying irregularly.
“It means that if they are wanted by security operatives, they can be easily traced. Out of the 2, 175, we have noted that 1,194 are staying irregularly while only 981 are regular,” he disclosed.
He said that the registration was part of the Service’s statutory responsibilities prescribed by Immigration Regulation 2017, adding that e-registration of migrants would help to improve Nigeria’s national security.
Babandede said the exercise in Ogun State, which began a few days ago, had captured 433 migrants.
“Out of them, 401 were irregular migrants. So, they will be regularised and it is a good thing for our national security,” he added.
Babandede said when the exercise is concluded, a special number would be created for them.
“There have been a lot of misconceptions that the amnesty is to enable foreigners to be citizens of Nigeria. It is not true. Citizenship is entirely a constitutional matter. You cannot be a citizen of Nigeria by amnesty. The amnesty only covers those who are in Nigeria when President Muhammadu Buhari announced it.
‘It simply means that if you come to the airport today or our land border and you know that you are going to stay more than 90 days, before the 90 days you are expected to register. Or after the 90 days you must register, if you don’t you have committed offense,” he noted.
