Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 20, 2015
Politics Page Three
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Editorial
Policing Nigeria’s borders
N
ot long ago, the Adamawa Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the arrest of 280 illegal aliens in the state. Speaking in Yola, the state Comptroller, Mr. Ubi Ikpi claimed it was part of renewed efforts to rid Adamawa of undocumented immigrants. Also, the Lagos arm of the agency announced that it had interdicted 82 illegal immigrants with temporary voters’ cards in various parts of the state. These revelations call for serious concern, especially as they are coming after accusations by a major political party that the Immigration service was deliberately allowing illegal aliens into Nigeria to influence votes in the elections. Although the Immigration Service has since debunked the insinuation, there is no denying the fact that Nigeria’s borders are porous and most times lightly policed. No month passes without news of citizens from neighbouring countries entering illegally into Nigeria. Before now, Adamawa and other border states in the north and south of the country have become known as safe routes for illegal immigrants coming into Nigeria. Matters are made worse by allegations of connivance between immigration officials and illegal aliens who are allowed into Nigeria on payment of bribes. With the forthcoming general election in March and April, there is the tendency for
some unscrupulous politicians to recruit foreigners as thugs and even as voters. For example, some of those arrested in Lagos admitted, that they posed as Northerners to get the temporary voter’s cards, since their names and those of their Nigerian neighbours sound alike. It is pertinent to warn that no illegal alien should be allowed under any guise to vote in the general election, which is strictly for bonafide Nigerians. Increasingly, illegal migrants are taking advantage of the porous borders to arrive in the country in large numbers without being detected or arrested for immigration laws violation. Evidence abounds that the five-year Boko Haram insurgency is being sustained by a wave of recruits from neighbouring countries. This is why these religious zealots are able to strike into Nigeria and other contiguous countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroun at will. The ease and speed with which Boko Haram fighters move across the borders are a testimony of their multinational composition. We therefore call on all agencies of government charged with policing our borders to put enough infrastructure in place to check the cross border flows of undocumented aliens. It only through this way that Nigeria can keep tab on the movement of illegal aliens trying to enter the country either to vote or cause mayhem during elections.
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President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu (2nd left); Registrar & CEO, (ICAN), Mr. Rotimi Omotoso (left); Group Managing Editor, Daily Times Newspaper, Mrs. Gabriella Osamor; and the editor, Mr. Yinka Olujimi, during a courtesy visit of the Daily Times to the institute in Lagos... on Thursday. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI
Lessons in patriotism from Niamey Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏOne thing that the anti-
Boko Haram protest by thousands of Nigeriens in their country’s capital, Niamey on Tuesday, has thrown up is the need for Nigerians, irrespective of political and religious leanings, to support security forces fighting the terrorists. Recall that during the protest led by the Prime Minister of the Niger Republic, Brigi Rafini, which ended outside the parliament building in Niamey, the demonstrators
pledged total support to their country’s military in fighting the insurgents as well as preventing the violent sect from having a foothold in their country. Sadly, this is not the case with Nigerians. Since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009, hardly does a week go by without people lampooning the military and other security forces. When the insurgents strike, kill, maim and take territories, instead of many condemning the terrorists, they look for loopholes to flay the troops, call them all sorts of names with some lecturing the troops about operational tactics. This shouldn’t continue.
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Rather than picking holes in the actions of our troops in the ongoing fight against insurgents, we all should rise in unison to support them. We should embrace the example shown by Nigeriens in rallying support for their troops engaged in fighting against Boko Haram. It is time individuals, civil society groups, political parties, ethnic and religious groups stood up to be counted in the fight against those who want to divide us, disrupt our way of lives and destroy our common heritage. It is time Nigerians lined up behind security forces who daily put themselves in harm’s way in defence of Nigeria and Nigerians.
STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER
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Publisher
Fidelis Anosike
Group Managing Director
Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects
Chief Commercial Officer
Deputy Editors
Noel Anosike
Doyin Awomosu
Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor
Editor
Yinka Olujimi
Tunji Okegbola
Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh
Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Celestine Okafor
Group News Editor
Online Editor
Editorial Page Editor
Business Editor
Sports Editor
Head ICT (Shared Services)
Segun Adio Okay Osuji
Andrew Ekejiuba
Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo
Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
Banjo Ayorinde
Head Graphics King Ododoru
The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.
Olisa Agbakoba
Gov Amosun
Jega
I don’t think you (Nigerians) know what you are playing with. You can call each other names and laugh about it now but when you end up inciting hate and war starts in your country you will regret…
Let me tell you, somebody somewhere, I don’t know who, doesn’t want us to vote in Ogun State. They want to make sure that at least about 40 or more don’t vote
We have been working closely with the security agents and looking at other alternatives. We can’t send thousands of ad hoc staff to conduct elections without security