The Federal Government of Nigeria has tightened security across all the nation’s borders ahead of the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1.
Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Kenneth Udo, on Saturday in Abuja.
Nandap directed all Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers and Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOS) of the Service across the country to be extra vigilant.
She said officers and men of the service should intensify surveillance in view of the planned protest by some groups.
The Nigeria Immigration Service boss also said that the directive was to ensure that foreign elements do not come into the country to participate in the protests.
“In keeping with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s gateways placed on the shoulders of the Service, officers, especially Heads of Border Commands, are tasked with rising to the occasion.
“This is by ensuring that no foreign element can take advantage of the protest to distabilise the country,” she said.
The NIS CG directed the temporary suspension of all leave applications and charged officers to exercise the utmost professionalism and patriotism in their duties.
This, she said, should endure after the protest. “Nigeria is the only country we have as our own.”
Nandap assured all Nigerians of the service’s preparedness to safeguard the nation’s borders and enhance national security.
REPORTERS AT LARGE earlier reports that Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, counselled Nigerians planning to protest over hardship in the country to exercise their rights peacefully and not resort to violence or destruction of public facilities.
According to a release, signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media), to Oyo State Governor, Makinde stated that while protests are within the rights of all Nigerians, the destruction of public utilities and other properties built with government money would culminate in the government having to spend resources that can be channelled to more meaningful use to fix the damage.
