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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced Operation Flush Irregular Migrants in Bayelsa to identify all irregular migrants in the state.
The operation which has the approval of the Comptroller-General of NIS, Isah Jere Idris and endorsed by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State commenced over the weekend.
Operatives of NIS were deployed to various parts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital where a number of irregular migrants were apprehended.
Investigations revealed that before the operation, the Comptroller of NIS Bayelsa State Command, Sunday James gave NIS operatives deployed for the operation a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) warning them against its violation.
Some of the procedures sighted include no extortion of irregular migrants, no maiming and harassment and no shooting to avoid tension.
The SOP also stated that the handling of migrants shall be conducted with a high level of civility and respect for fundamental human rights while those identified would be requested to present their travel documents, and residence cards/permits.
According to the SOP, all irregular migrants would be given the opportunity to shut their residential premises/offices before being taken away and would be given the opportunity to defend themselves during the screening exercise with abundant verifiable evidence.
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James in an interview sued for calm, explaining that no tribal group in Nigeria is being targeted in the operation.
He noted that NIS intelligence gathering and search-light has directed the Command to Nigeriens who because of affinity and the contiguous nature of the borders easily blend with Nigerians claiming states like Sokoto, Kebbi and Kastina.
“An average Nigerian can speak Hausa like the other side of their country particularly you see people claiming they are from Sokoto, Kebbi, Kastina. It is not true that every person claiming to be from these states is from there. Not many people know that it is not everybody they see on the street is a Hausa person. An average water peddler, cobbler, tea-seller, security guards in various homes and a few Keke drivers, people assume they are all Hausas but they are not. And that is why we have to zero down on this specific member of ECOWAS state because they are in the majority of people that easily blend with our people,” he said.
James, while disclosing that the operation is an ongoing operation that would be extended to the seven other local governments in the state, hinted that it would also involve expatriates working in the state.
Explaining further that the operation is being carried out in the national interest, he insisted that the NIS is doing its best with the aid of technology which is the best in Africa to discharge its responsibilities in the country.
Commenting on the exercise, the Chairman of the Association of Niger Republic Indigenes in Bayelsa State, Yakubu Idris, who commended the NIS for the operation confirmed that three Nigeriens were among those apprehended without proper entry documentation.
