Immigration Confirms Re-opening of Land Borders

Immigration Confirms Re-opening of Land Borders.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reportedly confirmed that it has complied with the orders of the President, Muhammadu Buhari on the re-opening of four major land borders in the country.

The development was confirmed by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James in a statement in Abuja on Friday, 18th December.

Recall the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, on Wednesday after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, announced the approval of the President on the reopening of Nigeria’s land borders which had been closed since August 2019.

The Immigration Service says it has now complied with the directive from the federal government as its personnel have been briefed appropriately noting however that full COVID-19 protocols will be deployed in the movement of persons through the borders.

 “In compliance with the directive of the Federal Government, the following four land borders have been re-opened,” the NIS statement noted.

 “The borders are; Seme in South-West, Illela in the North-West, Maigatari in the North-West and North-East and Mfum, South-South respectively.

 “Also, the Comptroller General of NIS has directed the head of the service formation at these borders posts to comply and remove restrictions of human movement.

 “The head of the service formation at these borders have equally been instructed to avoid unethical practices and unprofessional conducts.

 “All persons entering or exiting the country must hold valid travel documents as prescribed in the immigration Act 2015 and to observe COVID-19 protocols.

 “Lastly, we advise that all travelers to pass through only these four designated authorised borders posts pending the re-opening of others,” James noted.