By Anwar Usman
The Nigerian Immigration Service, Sokoto State Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening border security as part of its efforts to tackle the security problems posed by the emergence of the Lakurawa sect.
On Monday in Sokoto, the state Comptroller of the NIS, Mr Yusuf Bage, announced this during a courtesy visit from the leadership of the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Bage said the security problem posed by the Lakurawa sect is a new and evolving threat, especially in the state.
According to him, the Lakurawa sect members often enter the country through illegal routes.
”However, I want to assure the public that security agencies are ahead of them, and their activities will soon be curbed.”
He explained that one of the significant constitutional mandates of the NIS was to ensure effective border management, including oversight at airports and seaports.
To achieve this mandate, the NIS ensures proper identification of foreigners entering the country and closely monitors their movements and activities within communities.
He explains that the NIS had expanded its offices across the 23 local government areas to maintain visibility in all the state’s nooks and crannies.
He also highlighted the collaboration between the NIS, the Army, and other state security agencies to ensure the safety of citizens.
The comptroller also emphasized the importance of the media in supporting security efforts and pledged a mutual relationship between the NIS and journalists in the state.
The NUJ state Chairman, Mr Usman Binji, said the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the state council.
Binji reiterated the role of journalists in fostering collaboration with security agencies, stressing that the visit would reinvigorate the collaboration between the NIS and the NUJ to make Sokoto State safer.
He further stated that, “Our members are fully committed to supporting the security agencies in ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s territory.”