The Nigeria Immigration Service and other stakeholders have convened to strategise measures to prevent interference by foreign elements in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The NIS, the Department of State Services, the Border Communities Development Agency and other stakeholders convened at a sensitisation workshop at the NIS headquarters on Friday in Abuja.
The workshop is themed: “The Role of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Election Monitoring and Management.”
Speaking at the workshop, the NIS Comptroller-General, Mrs Kemi Nandap, said that the successful conduct of the upcoming elections required institutional cooperation from all security stakeholders.
Nandap, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Visa and Residency, Mrs Franca Nwanneka, said that the deliberation was important as the general election is fast approaching.
“Beyond the responsibility of conducting credible elections, there is the equally important task of providing a peaceful and secure environment in which the democratic process can thrive.
“Achieving this requires collective vigilance, effective coordination and the commitment of all institutions entrusted with safeguarding our nation,” she said.
According to her, the NIS occupied a strategic position in the nation’s security architecture as the agency saddled with the responsibility and mandate of border security and migration management.
“We must therefore remain alert to the influx of foreigners, emerging threats, particularly irregular migration and smuggling of migrants.
“We must also be on high alert to trafficking in persons and other transnational criminal activities capable of undermining national security,” she said.
Nandap also reaffirmed the NIS’ stance as a non-partisan service loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and warned officers against using official capabilities to participate in politics.
She charged officers to demonstrate the highest standards of political neutrality, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
The CG charged senior officers, zonal coordinators, comptrollers, and heads of formations to ensure that every command is adequately prepared before, during and after the elections.
She emphasised strengthened surveillance, intelligence gathering, effective deployment and close coordination with relevant security agencies as key areas that could facilitate credible elections.
“No single agency can address the complex security challenges confronting our nation in isolation. Our collective strength lies in our ability to work together, share timely information and respond decisively to emerging threats.
“I look forward to even stronger collaboration as we approach the elections because the task of securing our nation and sustaining public confidence in our institutions is a collective responsibility,” she added.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Ajayi, said that the security of borders and integrity of the migration system had become increasingly critical due to the upcoming elections.
Ajayi, represented by Mr Patrick Ikenweiwe, Deputy Director-General of Operations and Intelligence, said that foreign elements would try to exploit such gaps.
“Past experiences have shown that electoral periods attract attempts to exploit gaps in the border for movement of illicit arms, machinery, and persons intent on undermining the democratic process.
“The NIS therefore stands as the first line of national defence, and its vigilance remains indispensable to a peaceful and credible exercise,” he said.
He reaffirmed the DSS’ commitment to deepening collaboration with the NIS through timely intelligence sharing, joint threat assessment and coordinated operations, particularly along our land borders and at entry points.
The development comes amid growing concerns over political violence and the security of the 2027 general elections.
PUNCH Online reported that US officials had pledged to closely monitor Nigeria’s January 2027 presidential election, with Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, warning that the poll could trigger violence.
Also speaking at a congressional hearing, US Congressman Riley Moore called for close scrutiny of the election, saying, “We need to be watching these presidential elections like a hawk. And I’m gonna be watching them, and we all need to be watching them.”
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley Barnes, said the US State Department had a dedicated team tracking elections around the world and would pay particular attention to Nigeria’s poll.
NAN