Mathew Amaechi
In a major victory for border security, Nigeria has arrested multiple high-profile criminals on INTERPOL’s red list during a targeted crackdown at its international airports, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced Tuesday. The arrests, which included suspects wanted by Italy, Ireland, and other European nations, revealing the country’s leap in surveillance capabilities after years of systemic vulnerabilities.
Speaking at a regional workshop on maritime security in Lagos, Tunji-Ojo revealed that the fugitives were apprehended within a 48-hour span just weeks ago, crediting Nigeria’s recent $ million investment in cutting-edge surveillance and intelligence systems. “These individuals, declared wanted internationally, were intercepted at the point of entry,” he said. “Years ago, they would have slipped through undetected. Today, our integrated systems leave no room for escape.”
The minister emphasized that the arrests were enabled by Nigeria’s newly operational Advanced Passenger Information (API) system, a real-time data tool that screens travelers’ backgrounds, criminal records, and travel histories before they land. Previously, Nigeria was among a handful of nations lacking this critical technology. “Now, we pre-profile every passenger entering our borders,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “We fulfill our international obligations under UN resolutions and ensure security for all.”
The announcement came at the “Regional Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter Terrorism” workshop, where officials highlighted efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea—a hotspot for piracy, oil theft, and terrorism. Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Comptroller General Kemi Nandap echoed the minister’s remarks, detailing expanded maritime patrols and biometric tracking to thwart foreign terrorists and traffickers exploiting coastal routes.
“Maritime threats—from illegal fishing to armed robbery—require a synchronized response,” Nandap said. “Our upgraded systems ensure no compromise of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
Tunji-Ojo tied the progress to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has prioritized modernizing border infrastructure since taking office in 2023. The API system, now synced with global databases, has already flagged many high-risk travelers this year, officials confirmed.
The arrests mark a stark turnaround for a nation long plagued by porous borders. As one INTERPOL official noted anonymously, “Nigeria’s tech pivot sets a precedent for West Africa. Criminals can no longer treat it as a safe haven.”
With INTERPOL fugitives in custody and maritime operations scaling up, Nigeria signals its ambition to lead regional security—one algorithm and patrol boat at a time.
