Despite the Federal Government’s 2019 launch of a ₦52 billion e-border surveillance system to secure Nigeria’s borders, illegal migration and cross-border criminal activities remain widespread. Reports indicate that bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers continue to enter Nigeria through porous borders shared with Benin, Chad, Niger, Mali, and Cameroon.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo highlighted progress earlier this year, announcing that over half of Nigeria’s borders are now monitored by the e-border system. During a May 2024 national television appearance, he stated, “By October 2024, the first phase of the e-border surveillance project, including marine borders, will be completed. We now have command and control systems for air and land monitoring.” He also noted that 250 trained Immigration Service personnel are manning the system in shifts.
Persistent Challenges
Despite these advancements, reports from border communities suggest minimal impact on curbing illegal migration. In Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State, residents revealed that migrants from Benin Republic continue to cross daily, even at officially closed borders. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi, the former chairman of Baruten LGA, noted that border closures since 2020 under former President Muhammadu Buhari have failed to deter illegal crossings due to the presence of numerous undocumented routes.
In Ogun State, traditional ruler Oba Akintunde Akinyemi of Eselu criticized the ₦9 billion project, calling it a “white elephant” incapable of addressing illegal migration. Residents of Ilara in Imeko-Afon Local Government echoed similar concerns, citing a lack of physical barriers and continued unhindered cross-border movement.
Northern states like Jigawa, bordering Niger Republic, present unique challenges. Deep-rooted cultural and economic ties blur the lines between nations, making strict border enforcement difficult. Weekly markets and familial connections further complicate efforts to stem illegal migration. Local leaders acknowledged the presence of undocumented migrants but stressed the need for solutions that respect historical and cultural realities.
In Taraba State, bordering Cameroon, rugged terrain exacerbates monitoring difficulties. Residents report a steady influx of undocumented migrants, some linked to criminal activities.
Community leaders in Cross River State commended security personnel for improved monitoring but stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, local leaders, and residents to tackle the issue comprehensively.
However, critics argue that the project’s delays, starting with its approval in 2019 but actual implementation in 2022, have hampered its effectiveness. With only 80 crossing points covered out of the estimated 5,330 kilometers of Nigeria’s borders, many illegal entry points remain unsecured.
Security personnel and local leaders have called for additional resources, advanced technology, and better infrastructure to enhance border control. They also emphasized the need for education and economic opportunities in border communities as long-term solutions to reduce illegal migration.
While the Nigeria Immigration Service declined to comment, the growing frustration among border communities underscores the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to securing Nigeria’s borders.
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