Nigerian Immigration Walks Against Border Smuggling, Irregular Migration
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) led a public walk on Friday against illegal migration and smuggling along the Seme border in Lagos State, aiming to increase community awareness on the dangers of irregular migration.
Organised by the NIS Seme Command and the Lagos State Border Patrol Command, officers marched through local communities, engaging residents on the risks tied to illegal migration.
Comptroller Abdullahi Adamu, Controller of the Seme Command, emphasised the need for community collaboration with security agencies. “The reality faced by migrants during their journey and at their destination is often starkly different from their expectations,” he stated, adding that recent deportations from Ghana highlight the consequences of unlawful migration. “This is the time for Nigerians to ensure they have proper documents to travel, as the process is now seamless,” Adamu advised.
Comptroller Bolu Bewaji from the NIS Abuja Headquarters echoed the call, underscoring that the Service’s role is to prevent Nigerians from falling victim to exploitation abroad. “Getting proper travel documents and crossing through recognised borders enables us to track the movement of Nigerians and safeguard them,” he said, urging citizens to avoid unregulated routes.
Dr. Williams Eselebor, an Immigration Consultant, further noted that the NIS should address smuggling of migrants into Nigeria, as well as out of it. “Seme is a gateway in the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, a prime route for migrant smuggling,” he warned. He stressed the strategic importance of Benin and Niger as border points and pointed out that many Nigerians are trapped in detention camps in Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania.
While acknowledging the challenges, Eselebor noted the NIS’s recent technological upgrades, such as the new command and control centre, to better monitor border activities. However, he cautioned that excessive bureaucracy may drive individuals towards irregular routes, especially when security is light.
The NIS walk aims to promote safe and legal travel practices among Nigerians while reinforcing border security in a key migration corridor. Israeli Football Fans Targeted in Violent Attacks in Amsterdam
