The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Martin Abeshe, has called for improved funding and modern equipment for the service to enable it to secure the nation’s borders.

Abeshe made the call on Thursday at the opening of the 2016 Comptroller-General of Immigration’s Annual Conference and Stakeholders Interactive Forum.

‎He said that the service was contending with myriad of challenges which was affecting its operations.

‎Abeshe noted that more prominent among those challenges were inadequate funding, understaffing and lack of modern gadgets, especially at the borders.

“Like most government agencies, the NIS is grossly underfunded.

“Consequently, we are unable to procure the required patrol vehicles, aircraft, boats and communication gadgets as well as modern arms and ammunition.”

The comptroller-general said the service had about 23,000 staff.

According to him, the enormous statutory obligations of the NIS coupled with emerging migration trends and trajectories make this number of personnel obviously grossly inadequate.

He said while only 114 control border posts were approved across the country’s land borders, there were 1,400 illegal routes that were not manned.

He, therefore, solicited the support of stakeholders to overcome those challenges.

Abeshi said enabling environment and improved budgetary allocation would help the service to improve its performance.

He, however, restated the service’s commitment to discharging its responsibilities in spite of the challenges.

Miss Enira Krdzalic, Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), pledged the organisation’s support for the NIS in delivering efficient service.

She said joint effort was needed in tackling migration crises and terrorism.

The two-day conference with the theme: ‘Migration management in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges’ is being attended by stakeholders from the NIS, EU, ECOWAS, International Migration Organisation and members of the Academia. (NAN)

•Photo shows NIS Comptroller-General, Martin Abeshe.