The House of Representatives has raised concerns over the security of Nigeria’s borders, stating that 1,894 of the country’s 1,978 entry points remain unmanned, leaving them vulnerable to illegal activities.

The lawmakers said the nation is facing growing threats from illegal arms smuggling, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Border Security, Isa Anka, raised the concerns at the inauguration of the committee in Abuja on Tuesday.

Quoting a recent report from Research Gate, Anka noted that only 84 entry points across Nigeria are officially manned by security operatives, a figure he described as disturbingly low, given the country’s vast 36,450 kilometres of land and sea borders.

He attributed the porous borders to several factors, including inadequate resources, difficult terrains such as forests, rivers, deserts and mountains, as well as negative behavioural attitudes among some border personnel.

The lawmaker said: “Nigeria is a vast country that covers 923,768 square kilometres with approximately 36,450 kilometres of land and sea borders. It borders Benin to the west, Niger and Chad to the North, and Cameroon to the East.

“In recent years, we have witnessed an escalation in illegal cross-border activities that threaten our national security, such as illegal arms smuggling, human trafficking and drug smuggling.

“It is noteworthy that our borders are porous, with many unofficial routes for smuggling goods. We also need to ask ourselves some of the contributing factors leading to poor border security, which include: Inadequate Resources: Border security agencies suffer from inadequate funding, poor logistics, ineffective and outdated surveillance equipment and shortage of personnel.

“A lot of our borders are located in difficult terrains like thick forests, distant rivers, mountains and deserts, making them tough to police effectively.

“A recent report from Research Gate highlighted that out of Nigeria’s 1,978 entry points, only 84 are officially manned by security operatives, leaving 1,894 illegal routes. This is a disturbing statistic and shows a gap in our defences.”

He expressed concern that, despite significant government expenditure exceeding nine trillion naira over the past years, Nigeria has yet to achieve corresponding improvements in its security landscape.

Anka assured that the committee would formulate strategies and recommendations to curb illegal cross-border activities and reduce security threats to the barest minimum.

“Securing our borders is not just about preventing crime; it is about safeguarding our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the lives of every Nigerian,” he said.

In his remarks, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen stressed the seriousness of the committee’s mandate.

He urged members to examine and strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture, stressing that porous borders constitute both an economic and existential threat.

The speaker called for synergy, transparency, and patriotism from all agencies involved, highlighting the need for unified operational frameworks, intelligence sharing, and active community participation along border areas.

He also stated the importance of oversight and accountability in the use of appropriated funds for border security.

“This inaugural session is not a mere formality, but a solemn call to national duty. Together, let us build stronger borders, enhance our national security, and secure the future of our great nation,” Abbas said.