Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that several international fugitives on the Interpol red list have been apprehended at the country’s airports, thanks to enhanced border surveillance and intelligence systems.
He made this revelation on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during a regional workshop on Maritime Border Security held in Lagos State. The event, titled “Regional Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea,” brought together stakeholders focused on improving regional security measures.
According to the minister, the arrested individuals were wanted in multiple European countries, including Italy and the Republic of Ireland.
These arrests, he noted, occurred within a span of just two days and were made possible through strategic investments in surveillance infrastructure and the integration of cutting-edge intelligence-gathering tools at Nigeria’s points of entry.
“I can tell you that we have significantly strengthened our national database and we are beginning to see the results,” Tunji-Ojo said. “A couple of weeks ago, within just 48 hours, we intercepted several individuals listed on Interpol’s red notice.
These arrests happened at our airports, and without the system we now have in place, they would have entered the country undetected—possibly even 18 years ago.”
He further explained that Nigeria has, for the first time, deployed an Advanced Passenger Information (API) system—an international security tool that enables authorities to screen travelers before they arrive.
The API system allows immigration officials to profile and query the personal records, travel histories, and criminal backgrounds of incoming passengers, enabling pre-emptive action before suspects even set foot on Nigerian soil.
“Before now, Nigeria was among the few nations without an API solution. We lacked the tools to pre-profile passengers or access their background data before arrival,” he said.
“Today, that has changed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) now has the capacity to flag high-risk individuals and prevent threats before they enter the country.”
Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the implementation of the API system aligns Nigeria with global standards, helping the country meet its international obligations under the United Nations’ directives on border security.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders against transnational crimes, including terrorism, human trafficking, and illegal migration.
“These advancements are not only helping us strengthen internal security but also reinforcing our standing among international partners,” he concluded.