Immigration says visa-on-arrival policy won’t compromise national security

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, has said that the visa-on-arrival policy for all Africans announced by the President, Muhammadu Buhari would not compromise national security.

He explained that the policy was meant to accelerate African integration and bring down barriers that have hindered free movement of the people within the continent.

Buhari had while attending a peace and development summit in Egypt announced that Nigeria would begin issuing visas on arrival for all African nationals with effect from January 2020.

But speaking during the inauguration of the Risk Analysis Cell donated to the NIS by the Africa Frontex Intelligence at the NIS headquarters on Friday, Babandede explained that the NIS would ensure a high level of professional ethics in the course of implementing the policy.

He said, “The visa-on-arrival at the point of entry is an effort to accelerate African integration. Nigeria’s strategic decision is taken to bring down barriers that have hindered the free movement of our people within the continent by introducing the visa at the point of entry into Nigeria with effect from January 2020.”

A statement by the NIS spokesman, DCI Sunday James noted, “The Comptroller-General of Immigration is assuring Nigerians of the service’s commitment to ensuring high-level professional ethics in delivering the services without compromising national security.”