New controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, Aliu Mohammad Akadri, has stressed the importance of strengthening inter-agency cooperation between the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police to address security challenges in Lagos.
Speaking to newsmen at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Akadri emphasised the long-standing relationship between the police and immigration service, aiming that the renewed commitment will yield collaborative efforts.
“Immigration was carved out of the police in 1963. Whether we like it or not, the police are our parents, and we are their children, and that is why I felt it was important to come to the police headquarters first before visiting other agencies,” he said.
Akadri noted that he was building on the foundation laid by his predecessor and called for stronger collaboration amid the country’s evolving security challenges.
According to him, the federal government has provided the NIS with sophisticated gadgets and equipment to monitor movements in and out of the country.
He stressed, “Once we get an order from the court that a criminal is wanted or they are looking for a person, we remain on alert.
“The government has assisted us in so many ways by making our job very easy. Now that we have acquired some new security gadgets, a criminal cannot sneak out of the country.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh, described the visit as a reaffirmation of long-standing cooperation between both agencies.
“The visit of the Controller of Immigration and his team is a testimony to the very cordial relationship we’ve enjoyed over the years,” Jimoh stated.
He highlighted the police’s leadership role in internal security and stressed the need for support from all security stakeholders.
