Illegal immigrants are behind most criminal activities in the country, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said.
Kwara State Comptroller of NIS, Aminu Shamsuddin, made the statement while addressing journalists in Ilorin, during the 60th anniversary of the Service.
The comptroller noted that the country was surrounded by francophone countries, whose nationals desperately love to stay in Nigeria due to socio-economic hardship in their countries.
He added that NIS has had to take extra measures to scrutinize every immigrant at entry point.
According to him “These people think Nigeria is a paradise and, truly, we are the mother of Africa. They always struggle to be part of us and are ready to spend huge sums of money to obtain a Nigerian passport. They also get married to Nigerians in their bid to naturalise, which is why we painstakingly check every immigrant.
“Through our training, we can easily ascertain if someone is a Nigerian or not,” he said.
Shamsuddin explained that processes of scrutiny sometimes make the issuance of international passports take some time, and enjoined Nigerians to show understanding and patience.
According to him, NIS is closer to the people than other paramilitary agencies, due to the services it renders to the people.
Shamsuddin said the Ag. CG of NIS, Caroline Adepoju, directed the 36 states to celebrate the diamond jubilee.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
