The Federal Government has deployed a border management technology, the Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) at three international airports, 14 land and two sea borders to check irregular migration, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
It said the MIDAS system had been installed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Speaking during the inauguration of the system at the Abuja airport on Tuesday, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede said the technology would also be installed at four other airports across the country.
He said the project was a collaborative effort of the NIS, the Danish government and the International Organization for Migration.
The NIS boss said the MIDAS software collects, processes, stores and analyses migrant information in real-time across the border network, and provides a strong statistical base for security, migration policy and planning.
Babandede also disclosed that the MIDAS was designed to process and record both biographic and biometric details of passengers’ movement for the purpose of identification, biometric verification, inspecting, authenticating travel document and collecting and analyzing data of migrant information in real-time across the border network.
“I am glad to note that MIDAS has already been deployed at 14 land borders and two seaports which has greatly enhanced our ability to harness records of migration flow at the nation’s borders.
“It is important to note that most high profile criminals travel by air; with the deployment of MIDAS in three International Airports, we are ready to tackle transnational organized crime,” he said.
The system, the NIS boss noted, would also help in processing and analysing the data collected towards a more complete understanding of the country’s migration dynamics and mobility patterns.
“MIDAS as border security tools will equally automatically check all recorded entry and exit data against national and International Police alerts lists toward ensuring that those attempting to cross our national borders do not pose a threat to national and international security, and are not using stolen or lost travel document,” Babandede further said,
The NIS boss added that over 300 officers had been trained in MIDAS’ installation and use and 50 others in ICT-related courses.
Inaugurating the system, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola maintained that the project has serious ramification for the nation’s security, especially in the light of the country’s quest to have a comprehensive record of all migrants within its shores.
The minister made it clear that the technology would prevent wanted criminals from infiltrating the country, adding that it would also bar anyone on security watchlist from leaving.