Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has raised concerns over the country’s porous borders, warning that weak border controls are fuelling terrorism, arms trafficking, human trafficking, irregular migration and other forms of transnational crime that continue to threaten national security and economic stability.
Speaking at the 15th National Security Seminar held in Abuja on Tuesday, Ribadu said Nigeria’s vast and largely unprotected borders have increasingly become channels for criminal networks and extremist groups operating within the country and across the wider West African sub-region.
Represented by Ambassador Yazid Gbemudu, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ribadu stressed that addressing border vulnerabilities is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, promoting economic growth and ensuring lasting peace and stability.
According to him, Nigeria’s extensive land and maritime borders present both opportunities and challenges. While they facilitate regional trade, cultural exchanges and economic integration, they also expose the country to security threats that require urgent and coordinated action.
“Effective border management is not only a security imperative but also a critical component of national development,” Ribadu said, noting that criminal groups have continued to exploit weak border governance to move illicit weapons, recruit fighters, traffic persons and smuggle goods across national boundaries.
He identified terrorism, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cattle rustling, irregular migration and other organised criminal activities as some of the major threats linked to porous borders.
Ribadu explained that the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons has contributed significantly to the escalation of insecurity in various parts of the country, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and other violent crimes affecting communities nationwide.
He noted that the movement of armed groups and the illegal flow of weapons across Nigeria’s borders have complicated ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle terrorism and organised crime.
The National Security Adviser emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to improve border surveillance and disrupt criminal networks.
He called for enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operations and the adoption of modern technology, including biometric identification systems, digital databases, drones and advanced surveillance equipment, to strengthen border security.
Ribadu also underscored the importance of deeper cooperation with neighbouring countries, stressing that transnational security threats cannot be effectively addressed by any nation acting alone.
“Nigeria’s security is closely linked to the stability of the region. Strengthening partnerships with neighbouring countries and regional institutions is essential for combating cross-border crimes and preventing the movement of terrorists and illicit arms,” he said.
He further highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the National Border Management Strategy, which seeks to modernise border operations, improve infrastructure at key entry and exit points and enhance the capacity of border management agencies.
According to Ribadu, the strategy prioritises integrated border management, improved coordination among relevant institutions and the deployment of technology-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Beyond security measures, Ribadu stressed the importance of investing in border communities, noting that poverty, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure often create conditions that criminal groups exploit.
He called for increased investment in education, healthcare, transportation networks and economic opportunities in border regions to improve livelihoods and strengthen community resilience against criminal influence.
The seminar, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Border Security Architecture for National Stability,” was organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Defence College.
The event brought together senior military officers, diplomats, policymakers, academics, security experts and representatives of various government agencies to discuss practical strategies for improving border governance and enhancing national security.
Participants at the seminar examined emerging security threats within the West African region and explored ways to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, improve intelligence gathering and leverage technology to secure Nigeria’s borders.
Security analysts have consistently linked the rise in terrorism, banditry and arms proliferation in Nigeria to weak border controls and instability across parts of the Sahel region, where armed groups and criminal networks operate across multiple countries with relative ease.
Experts at the seminar agreed that strengthening border management systems, enhancing regional cooperation and addressing the socioeconomic challenges facing border communities are critical steps toward reducing insecurity and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
