The Comptroller of Immigration Service in Cross River State, Emmanuel Akinrinsola has disclosed that separatist groups in Southwest region of Cameroon, particularly the Ambazonia Boys, attempted several times to move weapons into or through Nigeria to Cameroon.
Speaking at the headquarters of the NIS in Calabar during the 60th anniversary celebration of the Service yesterday, Akinrinsola said the move was stalled.
“We have been able to block or stall several attempts by the Ambazonia Boys in southwest Cameroon to move weapons into the country or through our country.
“We are at the borders to stop terrorists and other unscrupulous elements. The separatist movements in Cameroon are always trying to enter Nigeria with arms.
“So, in collaboration with other security agencies in Nigeria, we do stop them. And when they notice that they cannot break through our security at the borders, they would turn back. Such people are prohibited from entering the country under international protocols,” he said.
The CIS boss said there have been a series of reforms in NIS, especially in the last 10 years, which have energized the service to become proactive to security and migration issues.
One of the paper presenters, Superintendent I. O. Umana explained that robust patrol of the borders by NIS personnel had blocked many economic and other types of criminals.
Recall that former governor of the State, Prof Ben Ayade while in office, disclosed that there were over 30 illegal routes from where guns were smuggled through Cross River State.