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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Ribadu, Akpabio seek technology-driven border security to tackle insecurity

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nigeria's National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for technology and regional cooperation to improve border security.
  • They highlighted that extensive borders, while facilitating trade, also expose Nigeria to terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migration.
  • The officials emphasized deploying modern solutions like Border Management Information Systems and investing in surveillance to combat transnational organized crime.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the adoption of modern technology and enhanced regional cooperation to bolster Nigeria's border security. Speaking at the 15th National Security Seminar in Abuja, they stressed that effective border management is crucial for national stability and combating threats like terrorism, arms trafficking, and irregular migration.

A major pillar of Nigeria’s contemporary border security framework is the National Border Management Strategy, which promotes an integrated border management approach.

— Yazid GbemuduDirector of Policy and Strategy at the Office of the National Security Adviser, representing Nuhu Ribadu, explaining Nigeria's approach to border security.

Ribadu, represented by Yazid Gbemudu, Director of Policy and Strategy at the NSA's office, explained that Nigeria's extensive land and maritime borders, while beneficial for trade and integration, also present vulnerabilities. He noted that weak border governance can be exploited by criminal networks, undermining national security.

The National Border Management Strategy, which promotes an integrated approach, aims to improve intelligence sharing, border infrastructure, surveillance, and modernization. Ribadu highlighted the deployment of Border Management Information Systems and other technological solutions as key steps toward aligning practices with international standards and improving data collection and traveler screening.

Modern challenges require modern solutions, including biometric identification systems, advanced border monitoring technologies and data-driven security frameworks.

— Nuhu RibaduNational Security Adviser emphasizing the need for technological advancements in border security.

He further advocated for increased investment in technology-driven solutions, including biometric identification systems and advanced monitoring technologies, to reduce illegal cross-border activities. Ribadu also underscored the necessity of regional and bilateral cooperation, as many security challenges are transnational and require coordinated responses among neighboring countries. Investing in border communities through sustainable development was also mentioned as a way to address root causes.

Effective intelligence sharing, joint operations and harmonised border procedures are essential for addressing contemporary security threats.

— Nuhu RibaduNational Security Adviser stressing the importance of inter-agency coordination.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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