By Charles Maduka
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that several criminals on INTERPOL’s red list were recently apprehended at Nigerian airports as they attempted to enter the country.
Speaking at a regional workshop on maritime border security in Lagos, the minister attributed the arrests to improved surveillance systems and strategic investments in intelligence-gathering equipment at border entry points.
According to Tunji-Ojo, within just two days, authorities intercepted individuals wanted by European countries such as Italy and the Republic of Ireland. He stressed that such arrests were previously impossible due to weak border control infrastructure.
“We now have a robust database integrated with our air terminals, and it’s paying off. People who could have sneaked into the country years ago are now being caught the moment they land,” he said.
He also revealed that Nigeria now operates an Advanced Passenger Information (API) system, which allows immigration officers to pre-profile incoming passengers, query their travel history, and examine their background before arrival.
“This capability was lacking before President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” he said. “Now, if you’re coming into Nigeria, we know your details before you board the plane.”
Tunji-Ojo explained that the development marks a major step forward in fulfilling international obligations and aligns with United Nations API resolutions.
Also speaking at the event, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, emphasized the agency’s vital role in securing Nigeria’s maritime borders. She warned that threats such as piracy, illegal oil bunkering, and terrorism remain persistent challenges.
Nandap affirmed the Service’s commitment to preventing foreign criminal elements from violating Nigeria’s territorial integrity through coordinated border enforcement.
Leave a Reply