…says violent attacks not fueled by religion
The House of Representatives has expressed concern over Nigeria’s porous borders, revealing that 1,894 of the country’s 1,978 entry points are unmanned and vulnerable to illegal activities.
Isa Anka, the chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Border Security, raised the alarm during the inauguration of the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to national security.
Citing a recent report published on ResearchGate, Anka noted that only 84 of Nigeria’s entry points are officially manned by security operatives, a figure he described as “disturbingly low” for a country with 36,450 kilometres of land and maritime borders.
He attributed the porous state of the borders to a mix of structural and operational challenges, including inadequate funding, poor logistics, insufficient personnel, and outdated surveillance systems. Difficult terrain such as forests, deserts, rivers, and mountains, he added, further complicates the task of effective monitoring.
“In recent years, we have witnessed an escalation in illegal cross-border activities that threaten our national security, such as the smuggling of arms, human trafficking, and drug peddling,” Anka said.
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“Our borders are riddled with unofficial routes used for illicit trade and movement. This is a disturbing statistic that shows a significant gap in our defences”, he added.
The lawmaker emphasised that many border security agencies remain under-resourced, with limited funding and outdated equipment undermining their capacity to respond to modern threats. He urged the federal government to prioritise investment in border technology, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and deploy more personnel to critical areas.
Also speaking, Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House, who inaugurated the ad-hoc committee urged the panel to “consider the seriousness of your assignment and its implications for national security.”
Abbas, who was represented by Ali Isa, the Minority Whip of the House, charged the Committee to provide concrete solutions to the violent attacks by fringe members of society that have led to the misrepresentation of the country, and the distortion of the narrative of violence “which is not fuelled by any religious agenda.”
The Speaker warned that thr porous borders constitute both an economic and existential threat.
He assured that the findings and recommendations of the Committee will guide the House in initiating legislative reforms and policy interventions to modernise border security frameworks.
“This may include reviewing existing laws such as the Immigration Act, the Customs and Excise Management Act, and related statutes to reflect emerging global best practices and security realities”, he said.
