The Taraba State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it would temporally close borders with the view to ensuring that the forthcoming general elections are conducted peacefully in the state.
State Controller of the Command, Hallid Usman Kwa (PCC) disclosed this to journalists in Jalingo on the preparation made ahead of Saturday’s election.
He said the decision aimed to prevent the influx of strangers and unusual movement of people in and out of the State.
Kwa said that the command had already taken steps to re-synergize with other sister agencies to play an effective complementary role to the lead agency, the Nigerian Police, during and after the general elections.
He explained that there would be no unusual movement during elections but after the first trench of the elections, the borders will again be opened and closed during the second trench.
According to him, the Command had already deployed enough personnel from the National, State, and local governments to Ward levels down to the various polling units.
Hallid Usman Kwa assured the people of the state that the Command will give much attention to flash points areas to ensure that the elections are conducted orderly in a peaceful atmosphere that Nigerians will appreciate.
The Comptroller also revealed that personnel of the agency had earlier confiscated over 462 Voter Cards (PVCs) from foreigners who were erroneously given and had accordingly remitted the same to the Service’s Headquarters on the 8th of February, 2023 during a retreat.
He pledged that they would not rest on their oars to continue with the process of fishing out non-Nigerians for them to stay away from the elections.
Commenting on the mature conduct of political parties and gubernatorial Candidates in the state, Usman applauded the Various Political parties and Candidates in the state for signing a peace accord.
Hallid Usman Kwa expressed hope that the singular act would instill peace during and after the polls.
He, however, called on the youths in the state to eschew all forms of violence during and after the elections.
Sani Sulaiman