The House of Representatives underscored on Thursday the urgent need to deploy modern technology to secure the nation’s borders amidst concerns over the proliferation of small arms and unwholesome products into the country.
The resolution was passed as a sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Oby Orogbu.
In her lead debate, Hon. Orogbu observed that there are over 320 illegal routes into Nigeria that serve as horrendous channels for the influx of inadmissible aliens and goods.
“The House also notes that Nigeria at the moment lacks sufficient security personnel to safeguard the existing illegal routes across the borders.
“The House further notes that the unmanned routes provide avenues for insecurity, proliferation of arms, and dumping of unwholesome goods into the country.
“The House is concerned that the porous borders have provided an impetus to the thriving drug and human trafficking routes all over the country.
“The House is aware that border policing has since shifted from the mundane use of only human beings to the deployment of sophisticated electronic-based equipment for potency.
“The House is also aware that the deployment of technologies like electronic sensors, video monitors, and night vision scopes to detect illegal entries has proved more effective in Western countries than human security.
“The House is further aware that more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (drones) and dark fighter cameras are available to further enhance border controls,” she noted.
To this end, the House urged the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to beef up the nation’s border security with modern technological gadgets.
The House also mandated the joint Committees on National Security and Intelligence and Customs and Excise to interface with the relevant agencies of the Executive Arm to ensure implementation and report within four weeks for further legislative action.
In the same vein, the House mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
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