Nigeria strengthens border surveillance ahead of 2027
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Nigeria is strengthening border surveillance to prevent foreign interference during the 2027 general elections. Authorities are stressing intelligence and inter-agency cooperation to also combat transnational trafficking, said Kemi Nandap, head of Nigeria’s immigration service, according to Punch.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), responsible for border control and migration management, and the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s domestic intelligence service, are strengthening border surveillance ahead of the 2027 general elections to prevent foreign interference. The two agencies notably want to prevent the entry of weapons and the infiltration of foreign elements, NIS Director General Kemi Nandap said on Friday 13 November, according to Punch.
Kemi Nandap asked regional and operational NIS officials to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and operational preparedness in their areas. She also warned against irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other transnational criminal activities that could affect national security, according to Punch.
The NIS official called on officers to remain politically neutral and respect the Constitution and the rule of law before, during and after the vote. She said that holding credible elections should be accompanied by a secure environment allowing the democratic process to take place, according to Punch.
The announced strengthening comes as Nigerian authorities step up measures related to electoral security. Nigerian police had notably launched an operation on 12 November against automated account farms ahead of the 2027 elections, while INEC, the national electoral commission, had warned on 13 November of a plan for electoral kidnapping.
