The Federal Government has revealed that the installation of e-gates at five international airports in Nigeria has contributed to the arrest of at least 10 individuals on security watchlists.
Key Highlights:
- E-Gates Impact: The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, shared on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the automated border control systems at airports are integrated with data from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and local security agencies.
- Arrests of Persons of Interest: The e-gates, which are part of the country’s enhanced security infrastructure, flagged individuals who were of interest to security agencies, leading to their arrests within a few days.
- Security and Immigration Enhancements: Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the e-gates have eliminated human interference in immigration operations, enhancing efficiency and security at the nation’s airports. The system is capable of detecting fake passports and profiling passengers before their arrival.
- Global Comparison: The Minister highlighted that this proactive approach to immigration security is similar to practices in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where authorities preemptively detect threats before any harm is done.
The e-gates initiative is part of Nigeria’s broader effort to modernize immigration systems and enhance national security at its international points of entry.
