By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the Comptroller of Immigration Services in Edo State, Abdulmumi Abdulmalik, have urged indigenes of the state to identify foreign nationals in their areas with a view to ensuring that they  participate in the on-going e-Registration of all African nationals resident in the state.

While Oshiomhole noted that the exercise would help in having a data bank for all foreigners residing in the state and country, which according to him, will help in national planning, the Immigration boss said it will help in identifying those involved in criminal activities in the state.

The duo spoke at the flag-off of e-Registration of ECOWAS and African nationals in the state in Benin City, weekend.

Oshiomhole, who was represented by the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, commended the Federal Government for initiating the exercise, explaining that “before now, the Edo State government recognised the importance of having accurate information about all residents in the state and had committed huge resources towards the implementation of Edo State Citizen Identification Scheme.”

He urged landlords to ensure strict cooperation with the exercise, assuring of the state government’s support for the exercise.

In his address, Abdulmalik pointed out that those involved in criminal activities in the country were not only Nigerians but that it had been difficult to ascertain this fact due to lack of data for foreign nationals.

“Consequently, E_Registration of African Nationals as well as the CERPAC regime will make it easy for Nigeria Immigration Service and other security Agencies not only to monitor foreigners but to identify those involved in criminal activities among them” he stated.