The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), says it is ready to participate and provide security during the forthcoming general elections.
The Comptroller of Immigration, Bayelsa State Command, Sunday James, made the declaration while speaking on Monday, in Yenagoa.
He said the Command was following the directives of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and the Comptroller-General, Isa Jere Idris, to ensure non-Nigerians are not in possession of Voters card or allowed to participate in the voting process.
Comptroller James also announced that a combatant force of the NIS had been deployed to border towns, adding that the Service had “met with the key stakeholders and community of non-Nigerians on the development. We have also informed those who are into the business of expatriates.
“Our officers are at the toll gates of Bayelsa State and other bother areas. And our men have been intercepting and apprehending those on illegal entry. Our operational vehicles are positioned on the road and our operatives are on surveillance while awaiting further FG directives.”
According to him, the preparedness of the NIS followed a meeting held between the Comptroller-General, Isa Jere Idris and Comptrollers and Assistant-Comptrollers Generals of States and Zones.
“He directed that, for us, our statutory mandate must be sustained as non-partisan officers that should act with high-level professionalism,” he stated.
Comptroller James also conducted media practitioners on the tour of the renovated operational headquarters of the Immigration service, following the devastating effects of the last flood.
He pointed out a well-constructed drainage channel with a covered canopy stands to stop any form of flooding and protect officers from torrential rain downpours. Most of the offices including the office of the State Comptroller have been reconstructed with all toilet systems replaced.
“With these renovation and reconstruction efforts, officers and men of the Command do not have the excuse not to perform optimally and professionally,” he added.
