FG N9bn E-border project fails to curb banditry, illegal migration

Despite the Federal Government’s launch of a multi-billion-naira border surveillance system in 2019, illegal migration persists, with bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers reportedly crossing into Nigeria from neighboring countries such as Benin, Chad, Niger, Mali, and Cameroon.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has announced that e-border surveillance systems are now operational across more than half of Nigeria’s borders.

Speaking in May 2024 during a national television program, he stated, “By October 2024, the first phase of the e-border surveillance project, including marine borders, will be completed. We now have command and control systems for air and land monitoring, as securing borders without technology is impossible.” He also highlighted that 250 trained Immigration Service personnel now operate the e-border control center in shifts.

According to Punch Online, reports from border communities suggest the system has not significantly curbed illegal immigration. Residents of the Baruten Local Government Area in Kwara State disclosed that migrants from Benin Republic continue to cross into Nigeria daily, even through officially closed borders.

Abdulrasheed Abdullahi, the former chairman of Baruten LGA, noted that despite border closures since 2020 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, illegal migration has persisted, facilitated by numerous undocumented routes.

The Federal Government initially approved ₦52 billion for the e-border system in 2019, but delays and funding challenges meant implementation only began in 2022. The system, designed to provide real-time monitoring of Nigeria’s approximately 5,330 kilometers of borders, has been deployed to over 80 crossing points, but illegal entry points remain a critical issue.

In Ogun State, the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, criticized the ₦9 billion e-border project, labeling it a “white elephant project” incapable of addressing illegal migration.

He emphasized the lack of visible border demarcations and the continued influx of migrants from Benin Republic. Similarly, in Ilara, a border community in Imeko-Afon Local Government, residents reported that cross-border movement remains unhindered due to minimal physical barriers.

In northern states like Jigawa, which borders Niger Republic, residents highlighted the complexity of the issue, citing deep-rooted cultural and economic ties with their neighbors. Weekly markets and familial connections blur the lines between the two nations, making enforcement of strict border controls challenging. Local leaders acknowledged the presence of illegal immigrants but stressed the need for a nuanced approach that balances security with cultural and historical realities.

Border communities in Taraba State, which share boundaries with Cameroon, face similar challenges. Residents reported the steady influx of undocumented migrants, some of whom have been linked to criminal activities. The rugged terrain of the region exacerbates the difficulty of monitoring and securing borders effectively.

Efforts to combat illegal immigration have received mixed reactions. Traditional leaders and community stakeholders in Cross River State praised security personnel for improvements in monitoring border activities. However, they also stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, local leaders, and residents to address the issue comprehensively.

While officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service and local governments declined to comment on ongoing challenges, community leaders and security personnel acknowledged the need for additional resources and advanced technology to enhance border control. Meanwhile, calls for better infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities in border areas continue to grow as stakeholders seek long-term solutions to the persistent problem of illegal migration.