The Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Abia State Command has called for stronger cooperation with the state Police Command as security agencies intensify efforts to tackle human trafficking and improve the monitoring of foreigners living or operating in the state.
The Controller of the NIS in Abia State, Mrs Justina Nkechi Owa, made the call on Wednesday when she received the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, at the Immigration Command office in Umuahia.
Owa said closer coordination between the two agencies would strengthen efforts to address security concerns, particularly those involving human trafficking and the movement and activities of foreign nationals within Abia State.
She stressed the importance of proper documentation for foreigners residing in the state, noting that residence permits, commonly referred to as Brown Cards, provide an important mechanism for identifying and regulating foreign nationals.
According to the Immigration Controller, proper documentation would help security agencies verify foreigners and monitor their activities in accordance with established procedures.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Immigration Service to working closely with the Police Command, describing inter-agency cooperation as essential to strengthening security across the state.
Immigration pledges participation in police training
Owa also pledged the participation of Immigration personnel in a forthcoming capacity-building programme being organised by the Abia State Police Command.
She assured the visiting police leadership that officers from the Immigration Service would take part in the training as part of efforts to improve professional capacity and strengthen cooperation between both agencies.
The planned participation reflects the broader emphasis placed during the meeting on developing stronger working relationships among security institutions operating within Abia.
For the Immigration Service, cooperation with the Police is particularly important in areas where immigration control and broader internal security responsibilities intersect, including the identification and regulation of foreign nationals.
Owa’s call therefore focused on ensuring that both agencies can share responsibilities and coordinate their efforts rather than operating separately when dealing with issues that require joint attention.
Police seek stronger inter-agency coordination
Earlier during the visit, CP Afolabi explained that his delegation’s presence at the Immigration Command was aimed at deepening cooperation between the two security agencies.
The Police Commissioner said effective security management could not be achieved by one agency working alone, stressing the importance of coordination among security institutions operating in the state.
He maintained that no security agency could thrive in isolation and urged the Immigration Service to continue working with the Police Command to address security challenges across Abia.
Afolabi also encouraged the Immigration Service to participate in the capacity-building programme being organised by the Abia State Police Command.
The Commissioner said stronger professional relationships and coordinated activities among security agencies would contribute to more effective security operations in the state.
The meeting consequently provided an opportunity for both agencies to reinforce their commitment to joint action, particularly on issues involving human trafficking, immigration documentation and the monitoring of foreigners.
Focus on security cooperation
The engagement between the Immigration Service and Police Command highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing security issues that cut across different areas of responsibility.
While the NIS has responsibility for immigration matters, including the regulation and documentation of foreign nationals, the Police Command remains a key security institution within the state. Collaboration between both agencies can therefore support more coordinated responses to issues that require information-sharing and joint action.
Owa’s emphasis on Brown Cards also placed documentation at the centre of the Immigration Command’s approach to verifying foreigners residing in Abia.
She said the Service would continue to work with the Police to enhance security, while also committing personnel to the forthcoming police training programme.
For Afolabi, the visit was part of efforts to build stronger relationships among agencies responsible for protecting residents and maintaining security across Abia.
Both officials consequently agreed on the importance of continued cooperation, with the Immigration Command reaffirming its readiness to support joint security efforts and the Police Command encouraging greater participation in inter-agency capacity building.
The engagement ended with renewed emphasis on coordination between the two agencies as they work to address human trafficking, improve immigration regulation and contribute to security in Abia State.
Immigration Seeks Police Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking, Monitor Foreigners in Abia
