FG Of Nigeria Repatriates 19,000 Illegal Immigrants

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, has revealed that 19,000 illegal
immigrants have been arrested and repatriated by the Federal
Government to rid the nation of expatriates suspected to be fueling
insurgency in parts of the country.
Moro told newsmen that: "19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out
of the country and that surveillance equipment would be installed at
the nation's borders, in collaboration with the United States of
America.
According to the minister, "extra-ordinary problems require
extra-ordinary solutions and we will do what is necessary to address
the current challenges".
Explaining the cost implications of installing the surveillance
equipment at the borders, Moro revealed that the earlier quotations by
two foreign firms with the expertise to undertake the project, ZTE and
Hawaei conglomerates, were in the region of about $2. 6 billion (about
N405 billion).
His words, "on the cost of implementating the surveillance equipment
in our borders, we are in the process of certifying one of those that
can be awarded. It is within the region of $2.6 billion and it was
tendered by a Chinese firm, ZTE and Hawaei conglomerate".
He added, however, that with the offer by America to play a role in
the project, the cost would be reduced in the final analysis.
"That money may be reduced as the United States Government is also in
touch with us in fighting terror and the US government has offered to
provide surveillance equipment which we will deploy to the borders".
The minister noted that checking the influx of illegal immigrants from
neighbouring countries was a great challenge due to the porous borders
in the Northern states but every necessary step would be taken to stop
them, especially with the war on terrorism.
Massive troops deployment at the Northern borders have since been
undertaken by the military authorities, following Tuesday's
declaration of State of Emergency in the three states of Borno, Yobe
and Adamawa.
Prisons reform. The minister also expressed the Federal Government's
determination to reform the nation's prisons by bringing in private
sector managers and decentralizing the system.
According to him, once the National Assembly amends relevant sections
of the nation's constitution which placed prisons on the exclusive
list, the executive would vigorously pursue the policy in the interest
of efficient prison management .
He said: "The prison service is an exclusive element of the
constitution. We have repeatedly indicated the readiness of government
to introduce the Public Private Partnership model in the Nigerian
prison.
"We have had visits from of our friends from South Africa and the
United Kingdom and we are tinkering with the idea of the
decentralization of the prison system to enhance efficiency. But until
the relevant sections of the constitution is amended, it remains the
responsibility of the Federal Government".
On steps to end Fulani /farmers clashes, the minister said the Federal
Government would pursue the creation of grazing grounds and routes for
the herdsmen and that the implementation of that policy would
hopefully bring about peace.
Many innocent people have been killed in suchraids in Bauchi, Plateau,
Kaduna Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi, Nassarawa Benue, in the North
and even Enugu and Delta states in the south.
According to him, "the crises between the Fulani and farmers have
risen to a worrisome level. It is a sad development in this country.
It is an unfortunate development. Only on Tuesday I had cause to go to
Benue State, Agatu Local Government Area to be precise, on account of
attacks by Fulani herdsmen who attacked five local communities and it
was a very sorry experience, given the number of farmers that were
killed.
"What government is trying to do in that regard is to create separate
routes and paths for the Fulani, as well as, grazing grounds so that
once they are properly defined and they confine themselves to these
routes and grazing grounds that will minimize the clashes between the
Fulani and farmers".
Moro also condemned the frequent clashes between officers of the
Nigeria Police and those of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence
Corps, particularly the recent killing of two Civil Defenders at a
vandalized pipeline site in Lagos.
The minister declined to give details of the investigations carried
out on the incident, as according to him, President Goodluck Jonathan
has personally waded into the matter and therefore decided to await
the outcome of that intervention before speaking further on it.
His words, "it is unfortunate that the Civil Defence and the police
should clash in the first place for whatever reason. But Mr. President
has intervened and we have agreed that such a thing should not happen
again."

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