In lieu of the upcoming 2023 general elections, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a stern warning to migrants while making it clear that they would be shutting their doors against the use of foreign migrants from all the neighbouring countries in next year’s election.
Isah Idris who is the Comptroller General of the Immigration (CGI) had also made this pledge on Thursday while he had been attending a meeting with some of the top management staff of the Service, Zonal Coordinators, and also the Comptrollers of Commands/Formations at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, where the main operational briefing was given as part of preparatory activities for the forthcoming general elections in 2023.
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A press statement by the spokesman of the NIS, Amos Okpu, which had been given out during the meeting, the CGI reiterated the government’s commitment to a free and fair electoral process for the 2023 general elections and he had also charged all the Heads of Commands and Formations across the country to upscale surveillance activities in all locations including Border Crossing Points to ensure successful elections.
The CGI said: “To this end, I hereby direct that regular meetings with all the migrants’ communities in the country be intensified to sensitize them on the need for them to stay away from participating in the nation’s electoral process for the 2023 general elections.
“Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOs) across the 774 Local Councils in the country have been directed to deepen surveillance and engagements with the migrant communities in their areas to ensure that no migrant gets involved in the elections.”
He revealed that the Service has recently intercepted and confiscated some voter cards from certain migrants, warning that stiff sanctions await any migrant attempting to participate in the nation’s electoral process.
Idris while stressing the Service’s ethical obligation and commitment to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of statutory duties, said “as Para-military Officers, we are prohibited from political partisanship before, during and after the elections. Therefore, the Service is seizing the opportunity to sensitize its Personnel through their respective Comptrollers on the need for them to remain apolitical before, during and after the elections as members of the Service.”
He enjoined all personnel to be alive to their responsibilities, warning that any infractions or unprofessional conduct before, during, and after the elections will attract severe sanctions.