Nigeria Nabs International Fugitives at Airports
Robust Surveillance Leads to Arrests
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that several criminals listed on the INTERPOL red list were arrested at Nigerian airports in recent weeks. According to the minister, the arrests occurred within a span of two days and involved fugitives wanted by various European countries.
He made this announcement during a regional workshop on Maritime Border Security in Lagos State on Tuesday. The workshop was themed “Regional Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea.”
Tunji-Ojo credited the success to the country’s recent investments in surveillance technology and data integration at border points.
“It will interest you that a couple of weeks ago, within two days, a lot of people on the INTERPOL red list were arrested at our airports,” he said.
“One came from Italy, one from Ireland, and another from a couple of countries. These individuals would have entered Nigeria undetected 18 years ago, but not anymore.”
Data Integration and Border Security Reform
The minister explained that Nigeria has now built a robust central database that synchronizes with international watchlists and travel systems. This development, he said, has significantly enhanced the capabilities of immigration officers.
“We’ve now integrated our air terminals into a central system. Before President Tinubu came on board, we had no Advanced Passenger Information (API) solution. Now, Nigeria has that capacity.”
Nigeria’s New API Solution Enhances Passenger Screening
The Advanced Passenger Information (API) system, now operational in Nigeria, allows immigration officers to pre-profile passengers before arrival. This includes querying travel history, criminal records, and other relevant data.
“Today, before you land in Nigeria, we know your background. We’ve queried your record and can evaluate whether you pose a threat. This is part of our commitment to UN standards and international obligations.”
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that these improvements are a direct result of border modernization efforts under the Tinubu administration.
NIS Reaffirms Commitment to Border Integrity
Immigration Boss Highlights Maritime Security Role
Also speaking at the event, Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to preventing foreign terrorist fighters and other criminal elements from exploiting Nigeria’s borders.
She noted that maritime insecurity—including oil bunkering, piracy, and illegal fishing poses a major threat to both national and regional security.
“NIS plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our maritime borders and ensuring Nigeria’s territorial integrity is not compromised by criminal actors,” she said.
Conclusion
The recent arrests mark a significant step forward in Nigeria’s border security operations, showcasing how technology and international cooperation can disrupt cross-border crime. As the country continues to align with global security protocols, officials hope these advancements will serve as a model for other nations in the Gulf of Guinea region.
