Yola, Nigeria: The National Boundary Commission gathered with the stakeholders and communities from Nigeria and Cameroon to enhance security and cross-border cooperation in Yola on Wednesday.
As per the sources, the engagement brought together the stakeholders from Borno, Benue, Cross River, Gombe and Taraba. They explored the areas to deepen cooperation among communities living at the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
The Director-General of the commission, Adamu Adaji, said that the traditional and religious leaders have key roles to play in promoting peaceful coexistence, trade and regional cooperation and integration.
Director of Research and Policy Analysis Amina Nyako represented Adaji and quoted that this is the reason why Nigeria ratified and deposited the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation.
He added to his statement that the Convention, which is known as the Niamey Convention, aims to pave ways for cross-border cooperation at local, sub-regional and regional levels.
“Ensure effective and integrated border management, combat cross border crime, terrorism, piracy and other forms of crimes and transform border areas into catalysts for growth, socio-economic and political integration of the continent and the deepening of its unity,” added Adamu Adaji.
According to him, the aim can only be achieved when local border platforms are created to deepen the relationships between border communities.
Caroline Adepoju, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, conveyed in a message to the event that the engagement and creation of local border platforms would reduce irregular migration and cross-border crimes.
She added to her message, “This will go a long way in checkmating cross-border crimes such as smuggling of migrants, trafficking of persons, banditry, kidnappings and preventing hoodlums from hiding in communities where there is no clear demarcation of borderlines.”
Deputy Governor and Chairman of Boundary Committee of Adamawa Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta hailed the boundary commission for the engagement and said that the state government has been taking measures to ensure peaceful co-existence among border communities.
“Our effort here will hopefully not only foster peaceful co-existence but also open doors for more opportunities for progress and development,” said Farauta.
