FG highlights need for data sharing, collaboration to tackle border crimes

Nigeria has called for cooperation with Sahel and West African nations regarding information and data exchange to enhance border security.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this appeal on Tuesday while speaking to reporters during the Summit on Border Security in London.

"There is a necessity for collaboration among countries in the Sahel and West African sub-region to foster improved international partnerships and information sharing. We require increased data exchange and stronger collaboration to not only address the issues but prevent them from arising in the first place."

"The key takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on being proactive rather than just reactive; countries are now more committed to criminalizing irregular migration. This summit is an excellent opportunity for ministers responsible for border control to ensure we can effectively manage our borders and secure our nations," he stated.

He pointed out that Organized Immigration Crimes are not exclusive to any single nation, highlighting that it is a collective challenge, thus necessitating collective solutions.

The minister recognized that border-related crimes pose significant concern for the federal government, prompting the implementation of measures to tackle such offenses.

“Nigeria has a solution for border control because we are not merely a destination country. We have automated our solutions and have additional measures in place to secure our borders and eliminate irregular migration.

We cannot afford to lose the battle before we even engage in it, and with this type of summit, we are united in our efforts to effectively combat this issue,” Tunji-Ojo assured.

He emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its immigration policies and collaborating with global partners to address transnational crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.

Rocketparrot News learnt that the summit convened over 30 global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to discuss critical matters related to border control and organized immigration crime (OIC). The summit served as a platform for international cooperation on migration policies, security threats, and strategies against illegal immigration activities.