The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in conjunction with the Katsina State Government has solicited the support of the traditional institution in the State to bring under control banditry and other related crimes.
NIS Boss, Muhammad Babandede, who was on a three day working visit (Monday-Wednesday) that ended yesterday, blamed elites and the Nigerian law enforcement agencies for neglecting the traditional institutions.
While speaking at the Emir of Katsina and Daura’s palace respectively, he said his primary mission to the state was specifically to engage traditional rulers in a discussion to seek how they could help bring under control the porous borders in the State and tame banditry and other related crimes.
He disclosed that control and issuance of travel documents were the two major functions of the Nigerian Immigration Service and those functions cannot be carried out effectively without the support of the traditional institutions.
These, he said, include control of people at the border ‘before entry’, ‘at the point of entry’, and ‘after entry’.
“We control people before they come to our country by issuing visa but there are people who do not need visa, we control them at the point of entry at the borders, land, sea and air. We also control them after they enter to make sure they don’t over stay and they do what they said they came to do in Nigeria,” Babandede said
“We developed a border management strategy with the support of the United Nations Agency for Immigration called ‘Border Management Strategy 2019-2023’. It is written clearly there that if you don’t engage the traditional institutions you will not succeed,” Babandede said.
Similarly, the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, in his remarks lambasted Nigerian leaders for the woes of the country.
“In the past when the British ruled the country, there was no war between us, there existed synergy between them and the traditional institutions they met on ground. That is why they succeeded.
“Already, the traditional institutions had a working solution for the crisis we are facing today but we destroyed it.
“Along the line, somebody from Kano came and said everybody is free. No more paying of tax (Jangali) and the people were happy.
“I challenge all of you here, to tell me one country in the world whether western or African where they don’t pay tax.
“Tax payment (Jangali) was the sign of identity but the government stopped it. If a stranger comes to your territory, he comes with his cattles along with his taxes before he is allowed to settle down.
“Now we are only called upon when there’s fire.
“There is need to retrace our footsteps if we are serious about solving these problems,” the Katsina Emir said.
The Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Faruq Umar on his part said they were in support of the development and they were ready do anything possible to ensure that the remaining two years of President Muhammadu Buhari”s administration brought a turn-around for the masses and Nigerians as a whole.
