The Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline WuraOla Adepoju, has conducted an assessment visit to the Illela Border Control Post to ensure the effective implementation of the Federal Government’s directive to temporarily close land borders with Niger Republic in light of their ongoing political instability.
The aim of the visit, according to a statement signed by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, DCI Aridegbe Adedotun, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), was to evaluate the level of compliance with the closure and reinforce the importance of interagency collaboration and intelligence sharing.
During the visit today, the Acting CGI expressed her satisfaction with the degree of compliance observed at the Illela Border Control Post. She extended her appreciation to the officers for their diligence in upholding the closure directives. Acting CGI Adepoju took the opportunity to reiterate her earlier directive to all Comptrollers of Commands in states bordering Niger Republic, emphasizing the need for unwavering adherence to the closure measures.
Addressing the officers, Acting CGI Adepoju remarked, “Having witnessed the working conditions firsthand, including the Mamman Suka checkpoint, I recognize the challenges faced by my personnel. I am committed to leveraging our budgetary allocation to enhance the overall welfare and working environment of our personnel nationwide.”
Prior to her visit, the Acting CGI had visited the Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, where she directly engaged with injured personnel who are victims of bandit assault at the Mamman Suka checkpoint near Illela. The unfortunate incident resulted in the tragic loss of two lives.
While interacting with the hospitalized officers, she extended her unwavering support and solidarity, and pledged to provide assistance to the grieving families. She also made a firm commitment to ensuring that her personnel’s sacrifices would not be in vain as all necessary resources to bring the bandits to justice will be deployed.
Acting CGI Adepoju further engaged with the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, and also paid a visit to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III.
During the meetings, she sought the support of both the State government and traditional leaders in effectively managing the borders. She received assurances of collaboration and support from both quarters, with the government and traditional rulers pledging their commitment to the successful implementation of all border management initiatives.
