The new Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, David Parradang, has ordered the immediate deployment of all junior officers and men at its headquarters to border towns.
Parradang gave the order during his maiden meeting with officers and men of the service in Abuja on Thursday and said the action was to boost the country’s security at border towns.
The C-G also announced plans to carry out an internal swap of senior officers to various departments at the headquarters.
He promised to write his name in gold and said that the e service under his watch would improve on the patrol of the country’s porous borders.
Parradang said that henceforth, only genuine investors and tourists, who would impact positively on the country, would be allowed entry into Nigeria.
The decision to restrict entry into the country is to check and address the security challenges being experienced in the country, Parradang said.
He said: “The decision is in furtherance to the service fundamental objective of ensuring a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
“As a service, we are the vanguard of providing a conducive environment for genuine investors and tourists.
“Those who will add value to Nigeria will be welcomed gladly, while those with negative influence will not find rest till this country is rid of them.”
He pledged that the service would adhere to the ECOWAS guidelines on the repatriation of irregular immigrants.
Parradang promised to develop immigration officers to be professional, firm, disciplined and committed to delivering world class service to Nigeria.
He said that it would be a “monumental tragedy” to squander the invaluable resources and hope of his predecessors and the society to transform the service.
Parradang condemned the indiscipline, corruption and marginalisation, which bedeviled the service in the recent past and said his leadership would not condone such acts.
He warned officers and men of the service against corruption, indiscipline and other vices.
He said: “I will rather be removed today than see any officer extort the innocent masses that come to us for help.
“I will rather be removed than allow the collection of toll gate.
“I will rather be removed than encourage god-fatherism and tribalism.”
Parradang promised to be fair in his dealings with officers and men of the service irrespective of their states of origin and religion.
He said: “I will carry everyone along and not limit my motivational incentives to Plateau State people alone.
“Let me warn that as far as my appointment is concerned, I was not chosen by anybody.
“My name was not even on the list of contenders.
“I did not visit Mr. President nor the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, for once.”
Parradang said his appointment was approved by God and promised to translate it to the benefits of all Nigerians.