The House of Representatives has expressed deep concern over the alarming state of Nigeria’s border security, revealing that 1,894 out of the country’s 1,978 official entry points remain unmanned. A situation, lawmakers say, has left the nation dangerously exposed to criminal activities.
Chairman of the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Border Security, Hon. Isa Anka, raised the alarm on Tuesday during the inauguration of the committee in Abuja. He warned that the country is increasingly vulnerable to illegal arms proliferation, human trafficking, and drug smuggling due to its porous borders.
Citing a recent Research Gate report, Anka disclosed that only 84 entry points are officially manned by security personnel across Nigeria’s estimated 36,450 kilometres of land and maritime borders a figure he described as ‘disturbingly low’ for a country of Nigeria’s size and security challenges.
‘Nigeria is a vast country that spans 923,768 square kilometres, sharing borders with Benin to the west, Niger and Chad to the north, and Cameroon to the east’, he said. ‘In recent years, we have witnessed a disturbing rise in illegal cross-border activities such as arms smuggling, human and drug trafficking, which threaten our national security’.
He identified several factors responsible for the weak border control, including inadequate funding, obsolete surveillance equipment, a shortage of personnel, and difficult terrains such as forests, rivers, deserts, and mountains.
According to him, despite the federal government spending over ₦9 trillion on security in recent years, the expected improvement in national security has not been achieved.
‘This is a disturbing statistic that clearly exposes a major gap in our national defence system. Securing our borders is not just about preventing crime; it is about safeguarding our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the lives of every Nigerian’.
He assured that the committee would work to develop practical strategies and policy recommendations to address the challenges of border insecurity and minimise illegal cross-border activities to the greatest extent possible.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen underscored the gravity of the committee’s assignment, describing Nigeria’s porous borders as both ‘an economic and existential threat’.
He urged the committee to strengthen the country’s border security framework through collaboration, transparency, and a shared sense of patriotism among relevant agencies. Abbas also emphasised the importance of a unified operational approach, intelligence sharing, and community involvement in securing border areas.
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‘This inaugural session is not a mere formality’, the Speaker stated. ‘It is a solemn call to national duty. Together, let us build stronger borders, enhance our national security, and secure the future of our great nation’.
