ISIS: immigration deploys electronic devices in airports

The Nigerian immigration service  has deployed an electronic device in the nation’s airports to identify, take headcount of travellers and aid security agencies to arrest suspected terrorists.

The technology, known as Electronic Advance Passenger Information System, is a
web-based application that facilitates the collection of electronic manifest information
for international travellers, going into or travelling out of the country.

The initiative is part of the worldwide manhunt for suspected terrorists.

The NIS Public Relations Officer, Ekpedeme King, said in Abuja on Sunday while
responding to enquires on efforts by the service to beef up security in the nation’s
borders against the backdrop of the ISIS attacks on Paris on Friday, where no fewer
than 128 people were killed.

The eAPIS, which collects and passes electronic manifests, has been in use at
international airports in the United States since May, 2009, when all general aviation
pilots, conducting international flights departing from or arriving to the United States,
were requiries to provide passenger manifest and aircraft information to government
agencies.

King said that the eAPIS would soon be extended to all the land borders across the
nation, noting that the system had assisted the immigration service to have a record
of people coming in and leaving the country.

“The Nigerian Immigration Service has already deployed technology (in the airports) to
prevent infiltration of foreign terrorists.