Mr Muhammad Babandede, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Wednesday apprehended 12 Nigerians who were already in a boat enroute Cameroon.
NIS spokesman Sunday James, in a statement in Abuja, said that the 12 persons, from Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, were stopped from embarking on the journey “in view of the closure of the border to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic”.
According to him, the combined efforts of the NIS operatives and the Navy at Ibaka led to the interception of the 12 adults on their way to Cameroon from Nigeria through the sea.
“The Ibaka control office of the NIS profiled the 12 persons and equally invited health officials to carry out medical checks.
“This is to ensure they are certified healthy before being returned to their homes,” the statement quoted Babandede as saying.
He appreciated the commander of the Navy Forward Operation Base in Ibaka for its cooperation and vigilance that resulted in the interception of the 12 persons.
The statement also quoted Mr Livingstone Amadi, Comptroller, Akwa Ibom Command of the NIS, as warning the 12 persons against embarking on journeys in view of the closure of the border.
“The Federal Government has closed all borders. No journeys will be allowed until the borders are officially opened,” he said.
