By ACG James Sunday (Rtd), FCAI, MNIIA
Former Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Immigration Service, Zone C, Bauchi (Comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Plateau States)
As a Commander, you are faced with the administration and management of operatives under your command, assets deployed, and daily accountability through situation and incident reports. This forms your daily routine; while others sleep, you are awake, often roused by a distress call, an incident, or a “need-to-know” message requiring immediate action in real time.
On my mission to Borno and Yobe on duty tour in March 2024, a directive came from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Nigeria Immigration Service, that the Nigeria-Niger border, which had been closed, should be reopened. I proceeded to Yobe State, which has the longest border with Niger, to carry out the directive on behalf of the Comptroller General and as the Zonal Coordinator responsible for the area.
The journey from Maiduguri to Yobe by road was not a pleasure trip. There were several military checkpoints, stop-and-search operations, and other security points. We travelled in only two operational vehicles, first, to reduce potential casualties in case of an attack, and second, for swift movement without the attention a long convoy attracts. Though unconventional for an operational duty tour, it was a mission that had to be accomplished. When a Presidential Directive is issued, there is no delegation, the mandate was specific and clear.
During my visit to Government House, Damaturu, to brief His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, he asked whether I came by air or by road. When I replied that I travelled by road, his expression reflected appreciation and respect. He remarked that it was the first time an officer of my rank would visit without a large convoy or flying, and appreciated the courage and courtesy.
At the Immigration Command in Damaturu, I called all border commanders, conveyed the directive, and immediately monitored compliance. Reports and pictures were sent confirming the opening of the border, movement of people and vehicles, and reactions from the Niger authorities. While Nigeria implemented the directive immediately, Niger delayed for weeks before reciprocating.
That evening, I returned to Maiduguri to continue the mission and brief the Comptroller in Borno on easing border movement in line with the Presidential directive. I also met key stakeholders, including the Governor of Borno State.
My first stop was Headquarters Theatre Command (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai, where I met the Theatre Commander at the time, Major General Waidi Shaibu. I briefed him on the mission and commended the high morale, professionalism, resilience, sacrifice and dedication displayed by soldiers along the Maiduguri, Damaturu route. Their conduct was highly commendable and reflected strong leadership. The ability to travel that route by road with few vehicles and no military escort demonstrated that relative peace had returned, although we must always stay vigilant given the unconventional tactics of insurgents.
In his response, Major General Waidi Shaibu appreciated the synergy demonstrated by my visit and commended the Nigeria Immigration Service for supporting Operation Hadin Kai with over 200 personnel. He praised the operatives for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the working relationship between his troops and the NIS. That morale booster contributed significantly to the success of my duty tour across the North-East Commands under my supervision, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Plateau States.
With Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu’s wealth of experience, particularly in the North-East as Theatre Commander, now serving as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), we look forward to more victories and enhanced deployment of advanced technology to counter unconventional warfare. I wish the General a successful and impactful tour of duty as the Chief of Army Staff.