The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has commenced training of various categories of personnel on weapon handling ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The NIS also warned immigrants and foreign nationals against interference in the electoral process.
The Bayelsa Command of the NIS, in a statement issued on Friday to Media Talk Africa and signed by Comptroller James Sunday, said the training of personnel is on time management and productivity at work for senior officers and weapon handling for the junior officers in Yenagoa.
According to him, the senior officers had a one-day training, while the junior officers had a one-week training on weapon handling; this, according to him, is to charge the officers and men to take responsibility as the country prepares for the 2023 election.
He stated that no officer is allowed to be partisan, saying their job is clearly defined and any ad-hoc assignment will be spelt out to avoid ambiguity, adding that they are to take directives from the Service Headquarters on matters concerning their operations while collaborating with sister agencies in the spirit of interagency collaboration.
“The Service will not condone mischieve or abuse of any sort preparing for the election, our foremost duty is to ensure Non Nigerians stay clear of the election, without interference in anyway. The officers are charged to intercept especially those at the entry points any irregular migrant on transit, impound voters card and National Identity card that finds its way into the hands of Non Nigerians and also arresting any such culpable to face the rule of law as provided in the constitution and the Immigration Act.
“We can only justify our professional calling when we are doing the expected and in the best way possible as trained officers and men.weapon handling is vital to sustain harmonious,peaceful and safe co- existence with the civil society at this material time,we are guided and monitoring our operatives closely,” the statement said.
