By: Manoah Kikekon
SEME BORDER — In a strategic move to fortify Nigeria’s frontiers against transnational crime and human trafficking, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has entered into a high-level partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), backed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The collaboration aims to establish a specialized Mobile Patrol Team designed to act as a rapid response unit along the nation's critical border corridors.
On February 3, 2026, a joint delegation arrived at the Seme border for a pilot assessment visit. The team, led by Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Ngozi Adikpo of the NIS Directorate, inspected existing infrastructure and engaged with key stakeholders.
Speaking on the mission’s purpose, DCG Adikpo emphasized that the field assessment is vital for identifying operational gaps. "Whatever information is gathered here will dictate the next stage of the project," she noted, highlighting that the Dutch government's support relies on these first-hand findings to ensure the unit is properly equipped and trained.
The core objective of the project is the creation of a Mobile Rapid Response Squad. This unit is intended to augment the traditional Border Patrol Unit, providing a tactical edge in the event of attacks or security breaches. According to NIS officials, the success of this intervention hinges on the deployment of experts to train personnel and the provision of specialized equipment that allows for "quick intervention" in high-risk zones.
Mr. Bornt Erzen of the ICMPD confirmed that the project’s main goal is to strengthen the NIS's capacity across various sections of Nigeria's borders. Starting with the Benin Republic axis, the project is expected to scale to other regions. Erzen noted that the ICMPD maintains a strong presence across West Africa including offices in Abuja, Accra, and Abidjan to facilitate political dialogues on migration and border security within the ECOWAS sub-region.
The human cost of border insecurity remains a top priority for the NIS. Azare Adamu, Assistant Comptroller General of the Lagos State Command, highlighted the service's ongoing efforts in apprehending traffickers and counseling victims. He warned of the dire risks faced by those trafficked, particularly women lured into sex work, who often fall victim to organ harvesting and terminal illnesses. "The Nigeria Immigration Service has done its best, but we continue to need international cooperation to end this modern slavery," Adamu stated.
While the introduction of E-Border technology has significantly improved surveillance, Comptroller Peter Adache of the Seme Border Command argued that Nigeria’s borders are not "porous" by nature, but rather "insufficiently manned." Currently, Lagos State hosts four key E-Border checkpoints: Agbara, Gbaji, Ashipa, and Yard. Despite these advancements, Adache identified two major roadblocks:
1. Power Supply: Constant electricity is required to keep digital surveillance active.
2. Coastal Vulnerability: There is an urgent need for patrol boats and aerial drones to monitor the waterways where thousands are illegally ferried out of the country.
The stakeholders' meeting concluded with a call for joint operations involving local community leaders, including the Baales, Serikis, and transport union heads, to ensure a holistic approach to national security.