Terrorists are targeting Nigeria because of her rich natural and mineral resources, elder statesman Amb. Maitama Sule has said.
The former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations made this submission on Thursday while speaking at the 2016 Comptroller General of Immigration's annual conference and stakeholders interactive forum in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Sule, who spoke on the theme: "Identifying the nexus between the working conditions of security personnel and patriotism at our borders" said Nigeria's wealth was attracting international criminals.
"Nigeria is a target of interest from other parts of Africa because of our resources. We have got natural resources in abundance.
"We have diamond, we have gold, we have uranium, we have petroleum, we have other minerals. These things attract people from other parts of Africa and other parts of the world", he said.
Sule submitted that there was a need for the Nigeria Immigration Service to measure up to international standard in order to effectively tackle the new challenges of policing the country's borders.
"Externally, our image has been damaged. Drug trafficking, human trafficking, 419 have all tarnished the image of Nigeria.
"You [NIS] have to keep your eyes open in order to check illegal immigrants who are coming to exploit our resources but you need modern gadgets in order to discharge such responsibilities.
"We must bring in modern technologies to enable immigration discharge its duty properly. In this modern age, you can't control the borders without helicopters and other modern gadgets," the elder statesman said.
He assured the Service that under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the NIS will get all the needed encouragement to discharge its responsibilities.
"I have a dream that Nigeria will take her proper place in the comity of nations. Under the leadership of Buhari, things will change for better", Sule said.
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