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The federal government Tuesday brought to an end the succession battle that trailed the retirement of Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma, as the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) with the official decoration of Mr. David Shikfu Paradang, as the new head of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
The federal government also charged him to ensure that Nigerian borders were not only policed effectively, but also to ensure that they were saved from the influx of illegal aliens.
The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, who decorated Paradang Tuesday congratulated him with a charge that he should take all necessary steps to save Nigerians borders.
Moro emphasised that as the country was challenged with insurgency and militant activities across the country, some of which have been traced to" illegal and even legal aliens", steps to secure the boarders should be without prejudice to Nigeria's cordial relationship with other countries.
He warned that nationals of countries found to be engaged in criminal activities that seek to undermine territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, should be summarily and appropriately dealt with.
He said: "Because of the insecurity in the country, it became imperative that a new pragmatic, disciplined, hardworking committed thorough bred Immigration officer should be appointed to restructure and re-engineer the immigration service, in order to deal effectively with contemporary Immigration matter."
According to him, "I also expect you to take rise up to the challenge posed by insurgents and militia across the country. Some of which have been traced to illegal alien.
"This was said to be necessary considering the current security challenges facing the country and the porous nature of the country's borders."
The minister further charged the new CGI to take charge, re-invigorate the service effectively and discharge his mandate in line with international best practices as the federal government expected nothing less from him.
"You have been selected from amongst equals. You must carry along your colleagues and indeed all Immigration officers, men and women.
"This government will henceforth not tolerate any act of indolence, negligence, and above all corruption. The tendency to compromise on integrity and extortion of money from helpless applicants for service will henceforth be appropriately sanctioned. Any officer who acts in disregard for extant regulation guiding the service will be dismissed," Moro warned.
Responding, Paradang, who was never in the reckoning when the succession battle was on, expressed shock over his appointment.
He said he was not expecting it but promised to key into the agenda of the government by securing the nation's boarders.
He said: "We know the concerns of the country in terms of security, we will put best legs forward to fortify the boarders with other security outfit and get rid of illegal aliens out of the country.
"All issues of corruption in issuance of passport would be a thing of the past, while seeking corporation from Nigerians by providing information to the Service at the only way to flush out crime in the country".
Meanwhile, there were some casualties of the new appointment and in line with the extant regulation guiding the service, five Deputy Comptrollers General (DCGs) were retired including the immediate past Acting CG, Mr. Rilwan Bala Musa.
Others were Denen Akaa, F.T Mologe, Umar Suleiman and Kuso Abubarkar Khalid, while the fate of the Assistant CG (ACG) Stephen Fimibama, who was alleged to have been anointed for the post of CGI and allegedly accused to have been due for retirement two years ago was not yet known.
Before his appointment, Parradang was the Assistant Comptroller General at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.
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