By Aderogba George
A legal practitioner, Dr Okey Ezugwu, has recommended a complete overhaul of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) to curb insecurity.
Ezugwu, a retired Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) made this recommendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
He stated that terrorist groups were infiltrating the country through border communities due to the poor living conditions, which leave these areas vulnerable to all forms of security threats.
The retired immigration officer, therefore, called for proactive measures to revitalise the BCDA, ensuring it brings tangible improvements to the overall wellbeing of people living in border communities.
According to him, the Nigerian government must prioritise the welfare and infrastructural development of these communities, as the BCDA’s mandate to develop border areas seems to exist only on paper.
He argued that this was evident in the glaring absence of government presence in the provision of social amenities and infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, water, and road networks.
Ezugwu, a former Comptroller of NIS, Cross River State Command stressed that the Federal Government must reinforce the BCDA’s mandate and transform it into a more effective agency capable of delivering essential services to these communities.
He added that such efforts would help curb the activities of bandits and other non-state actors, pointing out that border communities appear disconnected from the government, making them susceptible to various ideologies promoted by these groups.
Ezugwu alleged that these communities often serve as breeding grounds for terrorist cells before they evolve into fully-fledged terrorist groups, as recruitment and indoctrination frequently take place there.
He further noted that border communities are often used to blackmail governments, with residents being misled into believing that the authorities do not care about their wellbeing.
“All it takes is for any group or sect to offer them a few palliatives and phantom promises, and they will fall for the bait. Government must take effective charge and control of these communities beyond merely deploying security agents.
“They see security agents as disruptors of their peace and rarely cooperate with them in the discharge of their duties”.
He lamented the confusion among border residents, many of whom struggle to understand why they must go through immigration formalities to visit neighbouring communities where their relatives reside.
“The truth is that many of them are not even sure which country they belong to. They align themselves with either country depending on what is at stake and the benefits involved.
“In fact, many possess travel and other official documents from both countries along the border, allowing them to participate in elections, population censuses, and other activities.
“It is therefore crucial that the Nigerian government does not take the patriotism of border communities for granted.
“The government must take concrete steps to include these people in development projects, giving them reasons to reject overtures from agents of destabilisation”.
He warned that residents could unknowingly accept offers from terrorist groups if poverty and other critical survival factors, such as employment and social amenities, are not addressed by the government.
“It is also necessary for the government to reassess the enforcement of immigration rules and regulations to develop specific immigration clearance procedures for border communities, reducing friction and conflicts with local populations”.
He suggested that introducing certain waivers could help streamline border crossing procedures.
Ezugwu emphasised the need for the government to adequately support these communities, just as it does with other regions, even if this requires setting up separate administrative structures to manage them effectively.
He commended security agencies for their efforts under difficult circumstances and urged them to redouble their commitment.
According to him, since the current government took office, peace has returned to some affected areas, with visible signs that both the government and security agencies are addressing the situation.
He also recommended clearer demarcations between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries, citing distortions and disjointed configurations that have erased buffer zones, contrary to international standards.
The retired immigration officer pointed out that some border residents struggle to identify their country of origin, often aligning themselves with whichever nation offers the most benefits.
He highlighted that unlawful activities thrive in these areas due to their close ties and shared heritage.
Ezugwu, however, insisted that the government must chart a new course for border communities by revitalising the BCDA to ensure efficient service delivery, providing a lasting solution to the infiltration of Nigeria’s borders by terrorist groups.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA