By Olukayode Idowu
Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Adepoju has called for sustained synergy among security agencies in dual areas of both border security and migration management to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
She equally said a management training of security agencies at top level cannot be downplayed especially now with challenges ranging from weapons smuggling, banditry and other vices that may undermine the nation’s security rearing their ugly heads.
Adepoju made the call on Wednesday when participants of the Advanced Security Management Course (ASMC) III of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) paid a courtesy visit to the NIS Headquarters.
A statement made available on Thursday by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Aridegbe Adedotun stated that Adepoju, who is a fellow of the Institute, said the visit of yhe the 27 participants not only ignited a sense of nostalgia but opened up her horizon to the big picture, hoping it has done the same for the participants.
She said: “the Nigeria Immigration is classified into two: border security and migration management. A secure border is a secure nation, the success of this Organisation (NIS) is a sine qua non to the success and progress of Nigeria and so the Service must be taken with all seriousness.
“And of course security is the collective responsibility of everyone especially every security agency that is why your participation in this Advanced Security Management Course (ASMC) III is apt.
“With the level of insecurity ongoing in Nigeria, smuggling of weapons, armed banditry, terrorism, farmers herders clashes, money laundering and sundry vices there cannot be a better time for people at management level to be exposed to serious training that you are undertaking.”
She charged the participants to justify the confidence reposed in them, advising them to allow the knowledge gained to cascade to subordinates and spread.
The Acting CG, speaking on the need for collaboration, said: “I want you to know that inter-agency synergy and collaboration cannot be overemphasised so work with your colleagues , share intelligence, when you see something, say something. Be loyal, be dedicated.”
Speaking on behalf of the participants , Deputy Comptroller from the Nigeria Customs Service, Abubakar Zurumi said the institute has changed their perception and that knowledge was acquired, experience was imparted and all will be put to use. He said the need to synergise on border management and security was important as they were meant to understand.
The participants were taken on a tour of facilities at the Service Headquarters especially the Command and Control Centre in the Technology Building. The Commandant of the Institute A.S Adeleke was represented by the Deputy Commandant and the Director of Studies
