The Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, has promised to urgently address the shortcomings in the nation’s border security and passport processing systems, assuring an immediate action plan to address the issues.

Adepoju, who disclosed this, yesterday, during the 60th anniversary celebration of the Service in Abuja, lamented the inadequacies of resources for marine border patrol, emphasising urgent need for jetties, gunboats and lifejackets to adequately safeguard the coastal states against illegal migration.

The acting comptroller-general, while lamenting the frustrating delays in passport procurement by Nigerians, overcrowding and racketeering in passport offices within the country and in the Diaspora, gave the assurance that the Service would work in harmony with relevant bodies to ensure sufficient booklets and expedite passport issuance.

“We have disciplinary measures in place for people who are found wanting in the discharge of their duties and those who are involved in sharp practices. We will provide boxes in passport offices where people can launch their complaints, and at the end of the day, they will get to me and the officer that is found wanting, will face severe sanction to serve as deterrent to others.

“On the issue of passport capacity, it is becoming a thing of the past in the near future. Our partners are working hard on passport production. They know the importance of this,” she said.

Adepoju, who also emphasised the importance of education and sensitisation in preventing irregular migration, urged countries conducting deportation of irregular migrants to respect human rights and adhere to international agreements.

She said plans were underway to provide passport processing centres within Nigeria and abroad, allowing for easier access to passports for Nigerians residing in the Diaspora.