Over 19,000 illegal immigrants have been deported from the country since the deadly activities of the Boko Haram insurgents became rampant, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro has said.
Moro, while expressing regrets that there is no accurate data on the number of illegal immigrants in the country due to what he termed the porosity of the Nigerian borders, disclosed that the United States government has promised to help in the provision of surveillance equipment to help stem the activities of the insurgents.
He spoke in Abuja at the 27th session of the Leadership Forum organised by the Nigerian Newsworld Magazine.
He said: “19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out of the country by the appropriate authorities under the ministry. 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 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Act.
“On the cost of implementation of the surveillance equipment at our borders, we are in the process of certifying one of those that can be awarded. It is within the region 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 danger posed by prison congestion in the country, the minister explained that if the National Assembly accepts the ministry’s 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 huge challenges the authorities have had to grapple with daily.
“The resurgence of insurgents has led to some jail breaks across the country. However, as I speak with you, about 50 inmates are attending the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN); 90 are writing the West African Examination Council (WAEC); 690 have been rehabilitated after serving their terms; 109 have been trained in vocational skills and 145 trade-tested in artisanship.”
He also condemned the reported clash between men of the civil defence corps and the police, noting that the Presidency has intervened in the matter.
“It is unfortunate that the civil defence and the police should clash in the first place. Whatever reason that might have caused the occurrence of the incident, it is very unfortunate. But Mr. President has intervened and we have all agreed that such a thing should not happen again.”
On the frequent deadly clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers, Moro said the government is on the verge of creating “separate routes and grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen. If they keep to that, I hope that would stem the tide.”
