Nigerian agency warns of the dangers of irregular migration

In a bid to reduce irregular migration by Nigerians, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has warned intending migrants to avoid routes that could endanger their lives.

The warning was issued by the Lagos Comptroller of the Immigration Border Patrol, Adedeji Abiodun, at the launch of a campaign against irregular migration called ‘Passport to Safe Migration’ held in Seme, on the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, reports Today.

Adedeji insists that the campaign aims to provide information to Nigerians on the risks and realities of irregular migration in order to help them make better informed decisions.
“The desire to see people make informed decisions that will deter irregular migration and rather encourage regular migration is the delight of the NIS,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Comptroller Dominic Asogwa said that travelling without relevant documentation was a passport to death, hence the need for Nigerians to avoid undocumented travel.

Asogwa stressed the need for inter-agency cooperation and explained that the campaign, which aims to reduce irregular migration of Nigerians, is a relevant and timely reaction to recent migration developments in the country.

For several years, thousands of Nigerians have migrated to Libya in an attempt to travel onwards to Europe. However, many have lost their life or have faced terrible situations, including rape, kidnapping, detention, torture and sexual abuse.

Thirty-year-old Naomi, who recently returned from Libya, recounted her story. “It has not been easy at all. I had a flourishing hairdressing business before I went to Libya. But, I have lost everything. I also lost my mother and my 11-year-old son, while I was away. When they could not connect with me, my mother died of heart attack, while my son died because there was nobody to take care of him. But, I thank God I came back alive. I will start all over again; I believe I will make it in Nigeria. No more going out of the country,” she said.

TMP – 05/07/2018

Photo Credit: nan.ng. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) parades arrested irregular migrants.