By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) has called for the deployment of integrated smart border surveillance systems and intelligence-led border fencing to strengthen Nigeria’s border security architecture.
The association made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 15th National Security Seminar held in Abuja between June 16 and 17.
The seminar organised by AANDEC in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Defence College (NDC), was themed: ”Strengthening Nigeria’s Border Security Architecture for National Stability”.
Participants observed that insecurity in border areas had become prevalent due to Nigeria’s porous borders, which facilitate terrorism, arms smuggling, illicit trade and other transnational crimes.
They noted that security agencies were increasingly overwhelmed by the multitude of security challenges confronting the country.
They also noted that while border fencing could help curb insecurity, its implementation could face geographical, logistical, economic, legal, humanitarian and environmental challenges.
Participants emphasised that effective border security would therefore require a combination of physical barriers, technology, manpower and coordinated patrols.
They also observed that poor inter-agency collaboration continued to hamper effective border management adding that inadequate provision of basic infrastructure in border communities remained a major threat multiplier.
They further noted that physical barriers were not intended to completely prevent human mobility but to regulate and manage the movement of people and goods across borders.
The participants emphasised that border fencing should be viewed as part of a broader, multi-layered national security strategy rather than a standalone solution to insecurity.
To address the challenges, they recommended that the National Boundary Commission clearly demarcate Nigeria’s borders, while the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation should prioritised updating the country’s map.
They also urged the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies to deploy integrated smart border surveillance systems to improve monitoring and response capabilities.
The communiqué recommended that the Federal Government consider constructing physical barriers in the most vulnerable border corridors based on intelligence assessments and integrated with modern surveillance technologies and rapid response mechanisms.
It also called on government to improve the welfare of border communities to foster loyalty, patriotism and cooperation in securing Nigeria’s borders.
According to the participants, border security should be treated not merely as a security operation but as a national security imperative requiring sustained political commitment and coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker