Immigration Begins Electronic Registration of Foreigners in Nigeria, to Arrest Defaulters

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday revealed that it has begun the use of Electronic Passenger Registration System (e-PARS) to monitor and control activities of expatriates in the country.

NIS public relations officer, Mr Ekpedeme King, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, said the measure was taken as part of efforts to address the security threats in the country as well as check the activities of illegal immigrants.

King noted that the federal government had approved the use of the e-PARS as part of efforts to check terrorism in the country and in line with international best practices.

“The e-PARS is an electronic registration platform which allows the NIS to capture the data of expatriates that have entered Nigeria but are not captured under the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) residency scheme.

“The system provides for effective monitoring of expatriates/visitors right from arrival till they leave the country,” he said.

The NIS spokesperson said that the Comptroller-General (CG) of the NIS, Mr Martin Abeshe, had ordered immigration officers at all entry points into the country, especially airports, to enforce the directive.

King said that the NIS was also deploying automated border control technologies to strategic international airports in the country to ensure proper security check and scrutiny of those entering the country.

He also warned expatriates in the country to endeavour to renew their CERPAC and necessary documents accordingly before said documents expire or risk arrest, deportation or fine.

The NIS spokesman hinted that the agency was already in talks with business organisations like banks to cross-check that immigrants have valid registration documents before they are attended to. Those found wanting stand the risk of arrest, he said.

Story: Guardian Newspaper