The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intensified efforts to curb irregular migration, preventing 294 Nigerians without valid travel documents from leaving the country and denying entry to 332 undocumented migrants at the Seme border in recent weeks.
The crackdown, which also led to the rescue of 36 victims of human trafficking and child labour, was confirmed by Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The seminar, themed “Evolving Patterns in Smuggling of Migrants: Towards a Coordinated National Response,” brought together government agencies, civil society groups, and international partners.
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Nandap expressed deep concern over the rising trend of Nigerians attempting to migrate irregularly, often chasing the notion of better opportunities abroad, a phenomenon popularly referred to as “Japa.”
“It is very disheartening when you see young people risking their lives because they feel the grass is greener on the other side,” she said, highlighting that migrant smuggling has grown increasingly complex and transnational, orchestrated by highly organised criminal networks.
According to the CGIS, the NIS has adopted a multi-pronged approach to combat irregular migration.
“This strategy includes strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, expanding public awareness campaigns, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration”, she stated.
She noted that over 577,200 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members had been sensitised on the dangers of irregular migration this year.
“The nationwide Anti-Smuggling Sensitisation Campaign, initially launched in Lagos, has been extended to schools, markets, places of worship, and motor parks across the country.
“Plans are also underway to establish Anti-Smuggling Clubs within schools and the NYSC Community Development Service structure”, she added.
Highlighting recent operations at Seme Border, Nandap revealed that the interception of irregular migrants and rescue of trafficking victims was aided by newly installed CCTV cameras.
“These are not annual statistics; they happened just within a short period, and it tells you the scale of the problem we are dealing with,” she said.
The NIS boss also pointed to Nigeria’s active participation in international migration dialogues, including the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, aimed at promoting cooperative and harmonised action against irregular migration.
She stressed that no single institution could effectively tackle the menace alone, calling for a coordinated national response.
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“The fight against smuggling of migrants is not only a security imperative but also a moral responsibility.
“Every smuggled migrant represents a life placed at risk, a family disrupted, and a community robbed of its potential,” Nandap said.
Urging collaboration among government agencies, civil society, faith-based organisations, educators, and the private sector, she added: “Our success depends on our ability to act as one national front guided by the principles of protection, accountability, and human dignity.”
