Bisola David
The Federal Government has stated that it is prepared to work with the Indian Government to completely eradicate the importation of forged Nigerian passports.
According to The Guardian, this was said by the interior minister, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement made on Sunday in Abuja by the deputy director of press and public relations for the ministry, Mr. Afonja Ajibola.
He claims that Aregbesola revealed this when he met with Mr. Gangadharan Balasubramanian, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, in Abuja.
The minister declared that Nigeria would always be appreciative to India’s government and people for their assistance during the nation’s independence-winning anti-colonial war.
Aregbesola promised that Nigeria will fully cooperate with India’s Immigration Service to curb the actions of dishonest individuals and syndicates obtaining phony official Nigerian travel credentials in order to enter India illegally.
He urged greater cooperation between the two governments, calling for the sharing of relevant data and intelligence reports that would help identify those responsible, lead to their arrest, and subject them to the full force of the law.
The minister stated that the federal government would prefer that the legal system take its course in regards to some arrested seamen who were caught on a ship and accused of engaging in illicit behavior while trying his best to see if the matter might still be resolved on a humanitarian basis.
He also claimed that the federal government disapproved of all unlawful activity and would not support people getting phony permits to enter another country.
However, as part of the partnership’s cooperation, Aregbesola pleaded with Balasubramanian for technical support in the form of scholarships and professional courses/trainings.
Aregbesola said that this would significantly improve the effectiveness of its paramilitary organizations like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, a civil defense force that reacts to emergencies.
He continued by saying that the NSCDC assists the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in upholding law and order in the nation.
In his remarks, the high commissioner praised the friendly relationship that already exists between the two nations and pledged to look into further areas of cooperation that would further solidify their bilateral relationship.
As a sign of partnership support for Nigeria, Balasubramanian stated that seven government organizations, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, were already enrolled in pertinent courses in India.
Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the ministry’s permanent secretary, praised the high commissioner for his visit.
Belgore reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to attaining better service and more effective service delivery through investments in the capacity building of the staff members of the ministry and its agencies.