The Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Bayelsa State Command has commenced Operation Flush Out Irregular Migrants code name, ‘Saukan Shaho’; translated in Hausa to mean ‘the landing of an eagle’.
The commencement of the operation followed the approval granted by the Comptroller General of Immigration Service Isah Jere Idris.
Operation Flush Out Irregular Migrants code name Saukan Shaho is a discreet exercise to flush out irregular migrants in Bayelsa State to rid the state of non-Nigerians that have failed in their responsibility to respect extant Immigration law and regulation, provisions of the ECOWAS protocol on Rights of Residence, Establishment of Business and Movement within member state.
Most citizens of the community either by omission or commission tends to default, thereby making their stay irregular status wise, considering the need for water tight security of life and properties of Nigerians, couple with the multidimensional and hydra- headed unconventional security challenges that calls for concerted and step up of intelligence gathering and tactical enforcement of relevant laws on control and monitoring of migrants in pursuit of statutory role as the lead agency in border management and control.
The operation which received the blessings of the Comptroller General of NIS, Isah Jere Idris and His Excellency Senator Douye Diri Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, was conducted with great consideration for the fundamental human rights of the migrants, fairness, high level civility and understanding of the role of bilateral and multi- lateral relationships that exist within the region.
Other regional agreements were taken into consideration during the operation.
The exercise, according to the Command is expected to last for a week and that during this period NIS will comb the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa State capital and its local councils.
The operation will also afford the service the opportunity to document the migrants and to forestall non-Nigerians from participating unconstitutionally in the forthcoming elections and not to be voted for.
The first wave, the Command said signaled the end to the era of abusing immigration status and laws and ushering in sanity and observance of relevant immigration laws and regulations by those concern including expatriates on quota grants, residence permit that have defaulted by not renewing or regularising their stay in Bayelsa State.
