By Olasunkanmi Akoni  & Monsur Olowoopejo 

LAGOS—The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, yesterday, urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to allow the command participate in the State Security Council, LSSC, to enhance security in the state.

The Command also appealed to the Governor, to reconsider a revoked land given to the Service by the state government to build its Alausa passport office.

Comptroller of the Lagos Command, Mr. Lasun Olaitan, made this appeal when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House in Alausa-Ikeja.

He said: “I plead with your Excellency for further participation of our command in the State Security Council.

Curtailing of crime and general security enhancement is the collective responsibility of all of us. From experience, commission of crime and disturbance of peace are not limited to Nigerians alone.

“We want to assure your Excellency of making available, vibrant and useful intelligence reports that can enhance security in Lagos anytime we have the opportunity of participating in the Security Council meetings.” 
On revoked land 

On the land issue, he said the proposed structure in the allocated land was meant to create more conducive environment for the issuance of passport to Nigerians resident in Lagos.
Olaitan said: “We want to use this medium to thank you for the plot of land allocated to our Service at Alausa for the relocation of Festac passport office.
“The allocation, however, seems revoked as a result of time lag. I wish to appeal passionately with His Excellency to use his usual goodwill to kindly restore the land or re-allocate another plot in the same vicinity to enable us build an alternative office for passport administration and control.”
He also disclosed that the NIS headquarters had commenced the electronic registration of nationals of the Economic Community of West Africa States and other citizens residing in the country, adding that while the programme had been inaugurated in Abuja, that of Lagos would commence shortly.
He therefore, urged Lagos residents to encourage their neighbours, who fall into the above category, to go to any of the NIS local government offices to register.

Governor responds

Responding, Fashola explained that he was unaware of the land revocation, saying the state government was desirous of having the Alausa office of the Immigration opened as quickly as possible.
He said: “I will be grateful to receive a letter concerning the land. We want you to open this Alausa office very quickly and whatever it is, let us know on time.”
Fashola noted that the NIS had been a strategic partner of the state government, adding that while it is true that the Service is known for the issuance of passports, its role in terms of security was also paramount.
He explained that the positive or negative image of the country depended largely on the behaviour of Immigration officials at the various points of entry.