Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Idris Jere, has revealed that plans are in the works to hire an additional 5,000 personnel.

Jere made the announcement yesterday while fielding questions from journalists in Dutse, Jigawa State’s capital, saying it was to address the NIS’s manpower shortage.

According to him, the federal government, as you are aware, has imposed a recruitment embargo but has lifted it for security agencies because security is critical.

“We have written to the president,” he revealed. I am confident that we will be granted permission to hire approximately 5,000 more immigration officers.”

He also stated that Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, had sent a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari, who indicated his willingness to approve the request.

The immigration officers were attacked at the NIS base in the Birniwa Local Government Area, along the Birniwa-Galadi axis.

The bandits opened fire on the patrolling operatives, killing the officer, Abdullahi Mohammed. Another two people were shot.

Jere reiterated that the attack would not deter the immigration service from its efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders.

“For example, Jigawa borders Niger Republic, and the distance is approximately 1,680 kilometers, which is far too long for immigration officers to patrol.” As a result, technology is the solution to this problem.

“The federal government has happily approved the e-border that will cover Maigatari here in Jigawa and other borders across the country,” Jere explained.

“We already have the infrastructure, so cameras and drones will be used to adequately patrol the borders, but this is a capital-intensive endeavor.” I can assure you that the implementation of this technology will begin soon.”

He urged the state government to provide vehicles to the immigration service to ensure continuous patrol of the Maigatari border.

Jere also urged traditional institutions in the state to assist the service by providing vital information about suspicious movements so that appropriate and prompt action could be taken.