Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), says 332 migrants were recently denied entry at the Seme border in Lagos state for lacking valid travel documents.
Nandap spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar titled “Evolving patterns in smuggling of migrants: Towards a coordinated national response”.
She noted that Nigeria has remained a source, transit and destination country for migrants seeking improved livelihoods.
“Unfortunately, criminal syndicates exploit these aspirations, preying on vulnerable citizens and exposing them to grave risks,” she noted.
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Nandap added that migrant smuggling has become more complex and transnational, driven by well-organised criminal networks, requiring a comprehensive and collaborative approach rooted in partnership, vigilance, and shared responsibility.
The immigration chief said entry denial to the irregular migrants is part of the NIS efforts to strengthen border governance and improve migration management systems.
“In addition, 294 Nigerian nationals, suspected to be departing as part of the ‘japa syndrome’ phenomenon, were refused exit out of concern they may have been engaging in smuggling activities,” Nandap said.
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“Furthermore, 36 victims of human trafficking and child labour were rescued at the Seme border.
“These successes were facilitated by the installation of new CCTV cameras.”
Nandap said the NIS would continue to deepen cooperation with partners, some including the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), European Union (EU), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and INTERPOL to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated interventions.
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