The Comptroller of Immigration Service in Cross River State, Chris Baikie has actually warned all foreigners living and working in the state not to take Nigeria’s excellent neighbourliness for approved.

He alerted the immigrants to abide by the operational guidelines of regularising their stay and comply with all laws and government orders.

In an interview in Calabar, Baikie maintained he was not sent out to beat immigrants into line but cautioned them not to require him to do so.

“I was not posted to Cross River State to whip individuals into line, daunt, send to prison, expel or repatriate foreign nationals. We are not supposed also to be too difficult on them although we are an arm bearing firm of federal government. Utilizing the arm is not a top priority.

“We have guidelines guiding our operations with the (unlawful) immigrants under the ECOWAS Protocols. We sensitise. This is why we have actually met with the exco of Nigerians and such other excos of other nationals to assist us sensitise their compatriots about the guidelines.

“But if we tire all the diplomatic and excellent neighbourliness, I hesitate we will have no other options than to wield the huge stick”, he worried.

He stated, for this reason, his command has made interest both the state and federal governments to help it with automobiles and patrol boats that can be utilized for mop-up operations if need be, and likewise to patrol the long stretch of the maritime Cross River

DailyPost