By Olawale Jokotoye
Abeokuta – To ensure effective monitoring of immigrants, the Ogun command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has called on owners of hotels to render adequate returns on lodgers, particularly foreigners.
The state Comptroller of NIS, Mr Ajibola Bayeroju, made the call on Thursday in Abeokuta at a meeting with members of the state chapter of Nigeria Hoteliers Association
Bayeroju said that hoteliers, under the extant immigration laws, were required to make regular returns on lodgers to the NIS.
According to him, such information will be utilised by the NIS to monitor foreigners.
He said: “In view of the prevailing security in the country and the world at large, we must co-operate to secure our land.
“We are required to do our best jointly to keep this nation free of terrorism, espionage and other global security related problems.
“We should make conscious effort to rid our country of external vices and threat that can affect the peace of our nation.”
The Comptroller said that the service had been empowered to investigate, arrest, detain, prosecute and repatriate, where necessary, any foreigner who contravenes any existing immigration laws.
He expressed concern that majority of hoteliers in the state were not complying with the issue of returns on their lodgers.
“I have observed with disappointment that inspite of our meetings with you, only two out of the 400 registered hotels and guest houses in the state are complying with the provision of the law.
“Please note that the law is not silent on any hotelier who fails to perform his duties as the regulation imposes specified penalties for such,” he said.
Bayerohu explained that the checks were not aimed at witch-hunting any hotel owner, but to assist the NIS co-ordinate and monitor movement of persons.
He solicited cooperation of members of the association to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the country.