Nigerian Government Tightens Security at Borders Ahead of Nationwide Hunger Protest

The Nigerian government has tightened security at all the nation’s borders ahead of the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1.

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Kemi Nandap, said this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, on Saturday in Abuja.

Nandap directed all Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers and Divisional Immigration Officers, DIOS, of the Service across the country to be extra vigilant.

She said officers and men of the service should intensify surveillance given the planned protest by some groups.

According to her, the directive was to ensure that foreign elements do not come into the country to participate in the protests.

“In keeping with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s gateways placed on the shoulders of the Service, officers, especially Heads of Border Commands, are tasked to rise to the occasion.

“This is by ensuring that no foreign element can take advantage of the protest to destabilize the country,” she said.

The NIS-CG directed temporary suspension of all leave applications and charged officers to exercise utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.

This, she said, should endure until after the protest, saying that “Nigeria is the only country we have as our own

Nandap assured all Nigerians of the Service’s preparedness to safeguard the Nation’s Borders towards enhanced national Security.

This comes barely 24 hours after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun said credible information at the disposal of the police revealed that some foreign mercenaries are involved in the planned nationwide protest.

Egbetoko stated this on Friday while asking all groups planning to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process.

“We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest,” the police boss said.

During the briefing, the IGP commended “patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence.

He also expressed worry about the possibility of the protest being hijacked by criminal elements, explaining that the police authorities needed the necessary information to also identify potential troublemakers.

Egbetokun reiterated the police’s determination to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, saying the Force need to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

The IGP also released other guidelines to the protesters, among which were for them to “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.

“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”