Security expert Bone Efoziem has called for increased technological measures to monitor and secure Nigeria’s porous land, air, and sea borders.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) in Ikeja, Efoziem emphasised that most security threats entering Nigeria, ranging from arms smuggling to insurgency, come through unmonitored land routes rather than official airports or seaports.
He noted that many villages along the borders serve as informal entry points, making it difficult for conventional border security to function effectively.
“Almost every village around the border is a potential route into the country,” Efoziem said. “Even security officers on the ground cannot monitor all these points effectively. This is where technology, like drones and remote monitoring systems, becomes essential.”
He stressed that current equipment and manpower are insufficient to tackle insurgents and armed criminals operating along the borders.
Highlighting the limitations, Efoziem noted that soldiers often face better-equipped insurgents with night vision goggles and heavier weaponry, while border surveillance remains largely manual.
The expert called for redefining border security strategies and integrating technology to detect illegal movements, track suspicious activities, and enable rapid intervention.
He also urged community engagement platforms to allow Nigerians to anonymously report cross-border threats, improving real-time intelligence collection.
“Strengthening border security with technology is critical to reducing the flow of arms, drugs, and criminals into Nigeria,” Efoziem said, stressing that proactive monitoring is the only sustainable solution to the nation’s border challenges.
