The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has urged the Bauchi state government to establish a Rapid Response offices in Alkaleri and Toro Local Government areas, to track illegal immigration into the state.
Dr Lawal Abubakar, Assistant Controller General (ACG), NIS Zone C, Bauchi, made the call during his presentation to the Finance committee of the state Assembly, on a bill for a law to establish the Security Trust Fund, on Thursday, in Bauchi.
He said establishing the office would help to check the influx of herders from the Sahel region and minimize the activities of illegal miners.
The ACG pointed out that the offices would also facilitate the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) between Alkaleri and Yankari game reserve, to allow for surveillance of grazing routes and mining areas.
He said the Immigration service would also provide intelligence gathering and reporting to end users, as well as improve security consciousness among the people.
Abubakar also stressed the need to include the Immigration service on the Board of Trustees of the fund, to enhance the provision of maximum input and intelligence analysis for the state.
According to him, although Nigeria is a signatory of the African Charter on Transhumance Movement, there were a lot of illegalities committed that posed a security threat to the nation.
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The Sahelian route, which covers over 494 km starting from Yobe state through Zaki, Gamawa, Itas/Gadau, Ningi, to Ganjuwa, and connects with Kirfi and Alkaleri local government areas of Bauchi state, was a viable corridor for banditry and the movement of light arms, he said.
Abubakar added that there was a strong correlation between banditry and mining activities, as well as the NIS and the state security trust fund.
Earlier, The Chairman, House committee on finance, Alhaji Danumma Bello, had commended the efforts of the NIS for providing its services in the state.
Bello pointed out that the House appreciated the interest and performance of the NIS towards ensuring the successful promulgation of the Bill.