CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Introduction
The control and regulation of cross-border movement of people and goods is important for ensuring peace and stability among African countries.1 This trade movements will also enhance political and socio-economic activities needed for unifying West African economies and security which is the fundamental idea for the establishment of sub-regional integration in Africa. The free movement of persons without visa within the West African sub-region is a major achievement of the organisation. One major prerequisite for effective integration within the community is improvement in the communication and transportation networking among member states.2
As a result, much of the regional infrastructure has been rehabilitated and expanded to foster economic integration. Irrespective of the achievement of the free movement over the years, several violent activities of civilian-in-arms conflict have taken place in the region which led to absence of jobs in conflict-turn states, as well as the mass movement of their citizens to safer member countries.3 The effect of this led to transnational crimes involving the smuggling of arms and drugs, piracy, insurgencies and kidnapping which has continue to pose security challenge to Nigerian state. The devastating effect of illegal immigrant cannot be overlooked in the Nigeria context as insecurities has become the order of the day across the regions. In the North-Eastern states of Adamawa, Bomo and Yobe, the operations of Boko Haram sect had caused millions of residents homeless from their various communities. The frequent invasion of Fulani Herdsmen in the North-Central and North-Western and in some cases the South-Eastern, South-Southern and South-Western states of the country is also threatening the unity, peace and Security of the country.4
For International Migration (Emigration and Immigration) to take place the sending state, the receiving state and the migrant is involved in the migration process. This is where the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and various migration policies play a part which is to regulate the migration activities in Nigeria as a destinationmation state and a sending nation state. International Migration is a global culture in which a reasonable amount of individuals (nationals) practice.5 It is against this backdrop, this study examines the impact of Nigerian Immigration in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Immigration Service is a para military organization established to control the entry and exit of all persons in Nigeria and as such is meant to police the country’s vast porous borders through its officers posted to such locations. The agency (Nigerian Immigration Service) created out of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in 1958. Then it was known as the Immigration was department headed by the Chief Federal Immigration Officer. During this period, the department had a narrow law as well as a narrow scope profile and a simple strategy in achieving its objectives.6 The department was basically responsible for visa and business sections. Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) department became independent in August 1st 1963, becoming a department under the supervision and control of the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs (FMIA). Therefore, this study set out to identify the role of Nigeria Immigration Service as a security agency in curbing illegal migration. With an introduction, the study is structure into five sections.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of the study is to examine the role of Nigeria Immigration Service as a security in curbing illegal migration.
- To examine the historical antecedence of border management in Nigeria.
- To examine the origin, nature and operational mode of Nigeria Immigration Service.
- To examine the cases of Nigeria Immigration Service in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.
- To examines the impact of Nigeria Immigration Service in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
- To examines the impact the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Challenges of Immigration.