Nigeria seeks balance between ECOWAS free movement and border security

Nigeria says it wants to keep the ECOWAS free movement framework while tightening profiling, documentation and monitoring at its borders.

Adamu Adaji, Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, said in an interview in Abuja that free movement should not stop authorities from knowing who enters or leaves the country.

He said the ECOWAS protocol allows movement of people and goods, but border agencies still have a duty to monitor activity within Nigeria’s territory.

Adaji said travellers should be properly profiled and documented, including their identities and reasons for entering the country.

He also said illegal routes remained a challenge and urged authorities to identify and profile people using those routes so that legitimate movement does not become an opening for crime.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times