Nigeria’s Porous Borders: A Gateway for ISIS, ISWAP, and Lakurawa

FG Assures: Programme Launched to Track Illegal Migrants

Nigeria’s territorial integrity is under severe threat—not from an external army but from the unchecked influx of undocumented migrants and extremist elements exploiting the country’s porous borders.

With weak border security, particularly in the North, individuals from neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and other Sahel nations enter Nigeria effortlessly. Over the years, this lack of control has fueled terrorism, banditry, and smuggling, deepening the country’s security crisis.

A Nation Without Borders?

Nigeria shares over 4,000 kilometers of land borders, much of which remains unmanned. Smugglers, human traffickers, and armed groups exploit these gaps to move freely. Despite Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, which allows travel with proper identification, the reality is far different—many undocumented migrants cross into Nigeria hidden inside trucks carrying goods and livestock.

Security operatives at border posts are often either complicit or overwhelmed. Reports indicate that truckloads of undocumented migrants pass through checkpoints unchecked, with bribery and corruption playing a major role. This laxity has facilitated the infiltration of extremist elements, worsening insecurity nationwide.

Terrorism and Crime: A Direct Consequence

The recent discovery of an ISWAP sleeper cell in Osun State shocked the nation, signaling that terrorist groups—once confined to the Northeast and Northwest—are expanding their reach into the South. Security experts warn that the continuous influx of migrants from volatile Sahel regions is fueling terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings across Nigeria.

A closer look at various armed groups—including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Lakurawa—reveals a troubling trend: many of their foot soldiers are non-Nigerians. These groups exploit porous borders to recruit fighters, smuggle weapons, and establish operational bases. The consequences are devastating—escalating attacks in states like Zamfara and Ondo, leaving thousands dead or displaced.

Despite government assurances on tackling insecurity, border control remains weak. Corruption among security operatives and poor inter-agency coordination further complicate efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders.

Urgent Reforms Needed

International relations analyst Akinola Ayobami describes Nigeria’s borders as “highly vulnerable to illegal crossings, smuggling, and criminal activity, particularly in the North.” He emphasizes that these unchecked movements have significantly contributed to rising terrorism and organized crime.

To address this, Ayobami suggests:

• Modern surveillance technology: Equipping security agencies with drones, biometric databases, and real-time monitoring systems.

• Stricter enforcement of identification requirements: Ensuring that ECOWAS free movement rules do not compromise national security.

• Anti-corruption measures: Creating a transparent, accountable border management system.

• Community involvement: Empowering local communities to report suspicious activities.

• Stronger security collaboration: Improving coordination between the police, military, customs, and immigration services.

  
  

Dikwa: Government Lacks Sincerity in Fighting Border Corruption

Khalifa Dikwa, a university professor and Dean of the Borno Elders Forum, reveals that Nigeria has over 1,400 illegal border routes—far exceeding the 84 officially recognized entry points. For instance, Ogun and Adamawa states have 83 and 80 illegal routes, respectively.

Dikwa stresses that corruption at the borders fuels insecurity. He argues that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and criminal elements is undermined by political interference and weak anti-corruption efforts. He also highlights how cultural and familial ties between Nigerians and their neighbors complicate border enforcement.

“Many border communities in the North share the same ancestry, culture, and language with people in Niger and Chad. Some families even have one half of their homes in Nigeria and the other half in a neighboring country,” Dikwa explains. “To call them ‘foreigners’ is complicated.”

Terror Groups Exploit Nigeria’s Weak Borders

Public affairs analyst Abubakar M. Kareto links Nigeria’s security crisis directly to its porous borders, which have become a haven for terrorist organizations.

“ISIS, Lakurawa, and ISWAP take advantage of Northern Nigeria’s weak border control to establish strongholds, moving freely between Niger, Chad, and Cameroon,” Kareto explains. “They use hidden routes and criminal networks to transport fighters, weapons, and supplies.”

He warns that the instability caused by these groups has led to widespread violence, displacement, and economic disruption. Kareto calls for a comprehensive security strategy that includes:

• Strengthening border security measures.

• Enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries and the broader Sahel region.

• Addressing root causes of conflict and instability.

  
  

Borno: Nigeria’s Gateway to the Sahel

Journalist Timothy Olanrewaju, an expert on terrorism, recalls past efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders, such as President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tree-planting initiative aimed at creating a natural barrier. Unfortunately, successive governments failed to sustain the project.

Olanrewaju highlights Borno State’s strategic location—it borders Cameroon, Niger, and Chad—making it a key entry point for terrorists. He emphasizes that the lack of adequate security personnel remains a major issue.

“The Nigerian military is overstretched, with multiple security challenges nationwide,” he says. “This allows terrorist groups like Lakurawa to operate freely. When pursued by security forces in one state, they simply escape across the border into another country.”

FG Assures: Programme to Track Illegal Migrants Underway

The Federal Government has acknowledged the dangers posed by illegal migration and has reportedly launched a program to identify and track undocumented foreigners.

A senior government official, speaking to BusinessDay, declined to disclose full details of the initiative but assured that strict measures would soon be implemented to address the issue.

“Nigeria is taking this seriously. Foreigners who entered illegally will face appropriate consequences,” the official stated.

The Way Forward

Nigeria’s porous borders remain a major security risk, enabling terrorism, organized crime, and illegal migration. While the government claims to be addressing the crisis, tangible reforms—such as deploying technology, enhancing border security personnel, and eliminating corruption—are urgently needed. Without decisive action, the nation’s territorial integrity will remain under siege.

Original article on Busnessday