By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NEWLY installed e-gates at five international airports across Nigeria have flagged and led to the arrest of at least ten individuals classified as persons of interest.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to the minister, the automated border control systems are fully integrated with international databases, including the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and Nigerian security agency watchlists.
“These systems immediately flag individuals of interest,” Tunji-Ojo explained. “I can’t share too much for security reasons, but within just a few days, we apprehended ten people. Nigeria is now a no-go area for criminals.”
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the e-gates represent a proactive approach to crime prevention, similar to strategies used in advanced nations like the United States and the United Kingdom.
“The system helps us pre-empt crimes.”
We won’t wait for criminals to wreak havoc before acting. Our focus is to prevent atrocities, protect lives, and secure properties.”
The e-gates use an advanced passenger information system capable of detecting fake passports and other irregularities.
With this technology, the Nigeria Immigration Service profiles passengers before they even arrive in the country, reducing human interference in immigration operations.
The minister noted that these measures not only improve security but also align Nigeria with global standards in border control and crime prevention.
The system ensures that individuals attempting to use falsified documents or evade scrutiny cannot pass through unnoticed.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance national security, describing the e-gates as a game-changer in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.
