Nigeria Tightens Border Control, Nabs International Fugitives at Airports

In a major stride toward enhanced national security, the Nigerian government has apprehended several internationally wanted fugitives at the country’s airports, marking a new era in border control and surveillance.

Speaking at a maritime security conference in Lagos, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed that individuals listed on INTERPOL’s red notice were successfully intercepted just days apart. These arrests were facilitated by cutting-edge technology and upgraded data systems now active at Nigeria’s entry points.

“We’ve heavily invested in a centralized tracking system that identifies high-risk individuals in real-time,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “In just 48 hours, we prevented multiple fugitives — including some arriving from Italy and Ireland — from slipping into the country unnoticed.”

The minister highlighted that Nigeria previously lacked the capability to vet incoming travelers before arrival. However, the deployment of the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system has revolutionized border security.

“With the API, we now receive detailed passenger information before their flights even touch down,” he added. “This allows us to pre-screen for criminal history, travel patterns, and other risk indicators.”

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that this technological advancement was absent in past administrations and forms part of the current government’s broader initiative to align with international security standards.

Also addressing the conference, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Comptroller General Kemi Nandap reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to securing Nigeria’s land and maritime borders. She pointed out persistent threats such as piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing, which undermine regional safety.

Nandap stressed the NIS’s resolve to prevent criminal syndicates and foreign extremist elements from exploiting Nigeria’s borders, reinforcing the country’s commitment to comprehensive border protection.