NIS moves to block foreign mercenaries, illegal weapons ahead of 2027 elections

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to strengthen border security and intensify surveillance ahead of the 2027 general elections to prevent foreign mercenaries, illegal weapons and other criminal elements from entering the country.

The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a sensitisation workshop for senior officers on election security, with the theme, ‘Election Monitoring and Prevention of Intimidation’.

Nandap, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Visa and Residency, Dr Franca Usiwoma Nwanneka, said the service had a critical responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protect its borders and regulate migration, particularly during sensitive national events such as general elections.

She warned that illegal migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other transnational crimes could undermine national security if not adequately addressed.

According to her, effective border management and cooperation among security agencies are essential to preventing criminal elements from exploiting Nigeria’s entry points to disrupt the electoral process.

“As we prepare for the 2027 general elections, let us be guided by the common purpose to protect our national security, uphold the rule of law, and contribute to an electoral environment in which every Nigerian can exercise their democratic rights peacefully and without intimidation,” she said.

The NIS chief emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, noting that no single institution could independently tackle the security challenges associated with elections.

She acknowledged the continued cooperation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security organisations, urging stakeholders to sustain their collective efforts towards ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.

Nandap also cautioned immigration officers against partisan conduct, insisting that the service must maintain political neutrality throughout the electoral period.

She warned that personnel must not deploy government resources, official positions or institutional platforms to advance the interests of any political party or candidate.

“Let us therefore reiterate that the Nigeria Immigration Service remains a non-partisan institution. Under no circumstances should our personnel use official resources to promote partisan interests,” she stated.

To strengthen the service’s preparedness, she directed officers to improve intelligence gathering, border surveillance, operational deployment and security arrangements before, during and after the elections.

“You must ensure that our commands are adequately prepared before, during, and after elections through strengthening surveillance, intelligence gathering, effective deployment, and close coordination with relevant security agencies,” she said.

She further urged officers to participate actively in the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stressing the need for professionalism, accountability and effective coordination in carrying out their responsibilities.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, warned that criminal groups could exploit Nigeria’s porous borders during the election period to smuggle illegal weapons and foreign mercenaries into the country.

Ajayi, who was represented by the Deputy Director-General of Operations and Intelligence, Patrick Ikenweiwe, described the Immigration Service as a vital component of Nigeria’s national security architecture, particularly in preventing cross-border threats.

He said the vigilance of immigration personnel would be crucial to protecting the electoral process and ensuring a peaceful exercise.

“The Nigerian Immigration Service therefore stands at the first line of national defence, and its vigilance remains indispensable to a peaceful, credible exercise,” he said.

The DSS chief reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to working with the NIS to monitor Nigeria’s land borders and other entry points, stressing that effective inter-agency cooperation was necessary to address emerging security threats.

“No single agency can secure the electoral space alone. Our strength lies in absolute synergy,” he added.

He also urged security supervisors to provide effective leadership and ensure that personnel remained professional, impartial and committed to their duties throughout the electoral process.