NIS Intensifies Community, Institutional Sensitization On Dangers Of Irregular Migration

The Nigeria Immigration Service says it has intensified community and institutional sensitization on the dangers of irregular migration.

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap made this known at the flag-off of the Anti- Smuggling of Migrants Week for the year 2025 in Abuja.

The Anti-Smuggling of Migrants week is a period dedicated by the Nigeria Immigration Service to create awareness, build solidarity and renew commitment to the global fight against the criminal act of Smuggling of Migrants.

The Comptroller General represented by the DCG Works and Logistics, Ada James Umanah said Nigeria Immigration Service has advanced its border control efforts towards ensuring an orderly migration through a multifaceted approach of prevention, enforcement and international cooperation.

” We are also collaborating with other government agencies, civil society organizations, the media, faith-based organisations, markets, union leaders, transport unions, educational institutions at all levels to educate the public about the risks associated with irregular migration and the Legal pathways that are available for safe and orderly migration”.

The CGIS who disclosed that the Service has this year sensitised over 579,000 National Youth Service Corps members on the dangers of illegal migration enumerates some of the measures the service has put in place to curb the scourge .

” In this regard we have intensified aggressive community and institutional sensitization on these dangers of irregular migration with focus on the youth through our targeted awareness campaigns at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camps, this year alone , over 579,000 Corps members have been sensitised across the nation “.

” We have done so much in improving our operations, we have enhanced surveillance along our land, sea and air borders, deploying technology driven solutions such as the establishment of a cutting-edge command and control centre that mirrors all operational activities of the service.

“The Migration Information and Data Analysis System, MIDAS, Advanced Passenger Name Records, PNR, e-Gates at our International Airports as well as the high powered e-Border solutions deployed at over 144 border locations across the country”.

In a welcome address, the DCG incharge of Migration Directorate, Ngozi Odikpo said the service is poised towards eradicating the menace in Nigeria.

” We know what Smuggling of Migrants is all about, and we know that this Service has taken great strides in eradicating this menace within our society, as is our tradition every year we dedicate an entire week to different activities to commemorate the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants week and this will culminate with the celebration of international day of Migrants which is coming on the 18th of December “.

She said the anti- Smuggling of Migrants week would culminate into the celebration of the international day of the Migrants which is coming up on December 18th, with the theme ,” Smuggling of Migrants, Emerging trends, Realities and National Response.

Nkiruka Njemanze, Edited By Grace Namiji