The Presidency has faulted former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for promising to “open” Nigeria’s borders if elected, saying most land borders have been open since March 2024.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said if Atiku meant relaxing existing controls, he should explain which measures he would remove and how he would tackle terrorism, smuggling, arms trafficking and human trafficking.

Dare stressed that open borders do not mean uncontrolled borders, noting that effective border management requires surveillance, intelligence-sharing, immigration and customs controls, technology and regional security cooperation.

He said Nigeria’s focus on securing its northern borders should not be mistaken for border closure, but described it as necessary to protect the country against transnational criminal and terrorist networks.

Dare urged Atiku to present a detailed and credible border-security policy rather than slogans, adding that Nigerians deserve an alternative agenda based on facts and measurable solutions.