FG tasks border communities with cooperative border policing

Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, NBC, Adamu Adaji has called on border communities along the long stretch of the expansive territorial borders to cooperate in ensuring effective border policing.

Adaji made the call at a one-day workshop with the theme: “converting Borders from barriers of Separation to Bridges of cooperation and Regional integration”, on the establishment of the National Consultative Forum for Chairmen of State Boundary Committees of Border states in Nigeria and Border Management agencies.

What was discussed at the Workshop?

In his address, the DG of the Boundary Commission revealed that Nigeria has about 4500km inland border and about 850km stretch of the maritime border, stating “that providing effective policing across the long stretch of the expansive territorial borders would require not only the commitment of the combined security operatives but also the support of the border communities.”

On why the National Consultative Forum was established, Adaji said “the forum is first of its kind and without fear of contradiction, would be a veritable platform for regular engagement between state authorities and national structures responsible for border management and regional authorities in proximate countries.”

The engagement of members of the Forum is expected to develop cross-border initiatives that would proffer the spot solution to some rising security challenges along the borders, he added.

What did other stakeholders in the sector say?

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, stakeholders present at the workshops were: Executive Secretary of Border Communities Development Agency, Capt. Junaid Abdullahi(rtd), Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Idris Gere, National Security Adviser, NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mongono(rtd), Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS Col, Hammed Ali(rtd), Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, and Governors of Benue, Kogi, Sokoto, Ondo Ogun, and other border states.

In his speech, the National Security Adviser bemoaned the porousness of the nation’s border saying it has become a threat to national security.

“Nigerian extensive borders lands and maritime borders continue to be a major source of concern as they are likely porous and inadequately manned. This has aided irregular migration and other transnational organized crimes” he said.