The Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Kayode Oguntuase, has said there is need for the nation’s border control agencies to be more proactive, diligent, effective, watchful, alert and professional in discharging their duties.
The envoy spoke at a meeting with Southern/Western Nigeria border control agencies along the Nigeria/Benin Republic borders at the Nigerian House in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
He said it had become expedient to have such a meeting to reduce some economic and security challenges Nigeria is facing due to the ineffectiveness of border agencies.
The gathering had nine border agencies, including the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS), the Immigration Services, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Border Police, the military Reece 243 and 193, the Port Health, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the police border patrol.
Oguntuase said: “It is pertinent to note that there are lots of security threats and opportunities arising from international trade growth, globalisation, regional integration and global migration. Indeed, the Nigerian/Benin borders are not immune to these economic and security threats, which have continued to manifest along these borders.”