Nigeria deports 19,000 illegal immigrants

[PeoplesDaily]

By Jamila Nuhu Musa

The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, yesterday disclosed that over 19,000 illegal immigrants have been deported from the country in the bid by the Federal Government to deal with insurgency in the country.

Moro, while speaking in Abuja, said though there is no accurate data on the number of illegal immigrants in the country because of the porous nature of the nation's borders, the United States Government has offered to help provide surveillance equipment in fighting insurgency.

According to him, during the 27th session of the Leadership Forum organised by the Nigerian Newsworld magazine in Abuja recently, "19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out of the country by the appropriate authorities under the ministry. Although I must tell you that there is no accurate figure of illegal immigrants in our country due to the porous nature of our borders and the wrongful interpretation of the ECOWAS Act."

He added that in respect of the cost of implementation of the surveillance equipment in the nation's borders, the ministry is in the process of certifying one of those that could be awarded the contract. He disclosed that the cost of the surveillance equipments is in the neighbourhood of $2.6m and it was tendered by a Chinese firm.

"But that money may drastically reduce as the United States Government is also in touch with us in fighting terror and the US government has offered to provide some surveillance equipment which we will deploy to the borders."

Speaking on the persistent issue of prison congestion, which has posed danger to the prison's service, the minister explained that if the National Assembly accepts the ministry request to change some sections of the Prison Act, the problem of congestion would reduce substantially.

He also said the prison service has been able to reform some of the inmates in spite of the enormous challenges the authorities have been facing.

The Minister said "The resurgence of insurgents has led to some jail breaks in the country. But efforts have been made to deal with the problem. As I speak with you now, about 50 inmates are attending the National Open University, 90 are writing WAEC, 690 would be rehabilitated after serving their terms, 109 have been trained in vocational skills while 145 have trade-tested in artisanship."

Speaking on the reported clash between men of the Civil Defence Corps and the police, Moro said that the Presidency has intervened in the matter.

"It is unfortunate that the Civil Defence and the Police should clash in the first place. For whatever reason that that incident occurred, it is very unfortunate. But Mr. President has intervened and we have all agreed that such a thing should not happen again."

Moro expressed regret over the unending clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue and other states of the federation and said the government is planning to create "separate routes and grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen. If they keep to that, I hope that would stem the tide."

He also disclosed that the government has finalized plans to construct 227 fire service stations across the country and equip them with modern firefighting equipment in order to meet the needs of Nigerians.

On the issue of female prisoners, he said though "in the prisons, a criminal is a criminal irrespective of gender," some considerations are accorded pregnant women and nursing mothers to safeguard them.

The post Nigeria deports 19,000 illegal immigrants appeared first on Peoples Daily Newspaper, Nigeria.

Peoples Daily Newspaper