FG launches Nigeria, Niger border patrol base to check crime

The federal government has launched a joint security patrol base along Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic in Katsina state, to check the influx of illegal migrants across the border.
The patrol base was sited along Jibia road and will be manned by a joint team of officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Army, Customs, and the Civil Defence.
Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic covers over 1000 kilometers that runs through six states, as Katsina state alone shares over 200 kilometers of border with the country.
This accounts for the history of longstanding trade and intercommunal relations between Nigerians and Nigeriens residing along border the between the two countries.
However, this has made the border porous and difficult to monitor, resulting in the influx of contraband goods and illegal migrants that have contributed to insecurity in Nigeria.
Minister of Interior, who was represented by the permanent secretary at the ministry, Dr.
Bello Tambuwal, explained that the federal government decided to set up a joint patrol base along the border to check the spate of smuggling and illegal migration along the border.
Dr. Bello Tambuwal said the federal government also considered launching air border patrol and fencing sensitive parts of the border in the long run.
Katsina state deputy governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said the joint border patrol base will help in checking human trafficking which is common along Katsina Niger republic border.