Nigeria Immigration Seeks Collective Action Against Migrant Smuggling

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against migrant smuggling as it marks the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Day in commemoration of the 2025 International Migrants Day.

The event, which formed part of the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Week, was held on Monday at the Muhammadu Babandede Hall, Service Headquarters, Abuja.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG), Works and Logistics, A.J. Umanah, said the week-long programme was dedicated to awareness, solidarity and commitment to the global fight against the criminal act of migrant smuggling.

Umanah noted that the observance coincided with International Migrants Day, a moment for nations to reflect on the realities of human mobility, including its opportunities, challenges, and the collective responsibility to safeguard the dignity and rights of migrants.

She said this year’s theme, “Smuggling of Migrants: Emerging Trends, Realities and National Response”, was deliberately chosen to address the growing challenges confronting Nigeria, West Africa and the global community.

According to her, the theme highlights the need not only to acknowledge the evolving dynamics of irregular migration but also to strengthen national resolve in combating criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals in search of better opportunities.

The DCG expressed concern over the rise in organised migrant smuggling networks, the increasing use of digital platforms for recruitment and deception, and the expansion of complex transnational routes that expose migrants to severe dangers.

“From desert crossings to perilous sea journeys, migrants face unimaginable risks, including trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation, violence and tragic death,” she said.

Umanah further revealed a trend in which smugglers now operate with greater sophistication, deploying encrypted messaging applications, falsifying travel documents, coaching migrants on evasion techniques and collaborating with criminal syndicates across borders.

He stressed that Nigeria’s position as a key country of origin, transit and destination makes it imperative for the NIS to confront these developments, which pose serious threats to human life, national security, border integrity and public safety.

She explained that under the guidance of the Ministry of Interior, led by Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the NIS has strengthened its response through policy reforms, operational strategies, technology deployment and international cooperation.

These measures, Umanah said, include enhanced surveillance along land, sea and air borders, supported by technology-driven solutions such as a Command and Control Centre that mirrors all operational activities of the Service, the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), Advanced Passenger Information Systems (APIS), Passenger Name Records (PNR), electronic gates at international airports, and Huawei-powered e-border solutions deployed at over 144 border locations nationwide.

She added that partnerships with regional and international organisations, including ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), FIIAPP and FRONTEX, have continued to enhance capacity building, data exchange, joint investigations and safe return programmes.

She said bilateral agreements with transit and destination countries have also strengthened early warning mechanisms, repatriation processes and cross-border law enforcement.

While addressing the root causes of irregular migration, the DCG noted that the NIS has intensified community and institutional sensitisation to counter false promises used by smugglers to lure migrants.

She said awareness campaigns targeting youths, including National Youth Service Corps members, students at all educational levels, youth associations and transport unions, have been expanded nationwide.

“Within this year alone, over 200,000 Corps Members were sensitised, in addition to the widespread outreach across the country during the 2025 sensitisation campaign,” Umanah said.

According to her, the campaign’s focus is on the techniques adopted by smuggling networks, digital recruitment tactics, false job offers abroad and the importance of using safe, orderly and regular migration channels.

Reaffirming the Service’s commitment, Umanah said the NIS would continue to deepen border security and intelligence capabilities, dismantle smuggling networks, bring perpetrators to justice, protect migrants, especially women and children, from exploitation, strengthen partnerships at home and abroad, and uphold the human rights and dignity of every migrant, regardless of status.

She emphasised that the fight against migrant smuggling is not the responsibility of the government alone, and called for collective action from families, communities, traditional institutions, civil society, academia, development partners and the media.

“Together, we must build safe pathways, protect vulnerable populations and secure our borders against criminal exploitation,” he said.

Umanah also expressed appreciation to development partners and the international community for their technical support, capacity-building interventions and ongoing projects, assuring that the NIS remains committed to sustaining robust partnerships to promote safe, orderly and regular migration, protect Nigerians and secure the nation’s future.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Deputy Comptroller-General, Migration Directorate, N. Odikpo, said the Service has made significant strides in addressing migrant smuggling within society.

She explained that, as a tradition, the NIS dedicates an entire week annually to activities marking the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Week, which culminates in the celebration of the International Migrants Day on 18 December.

Odikpo welcomed participants to the 2025 programme, noting that the week’s activities were designed to be meaningful and informative, while urging stakeholders to actively engage in the discussions and events.

“The service has taken great strides in eradicating this menace within our society. As a tradition, every year we dedicate an entire week to different activities to commemorate the Anti-Seminole Kindness Week. And this will culminate with the celebration of the International Day of the Migrants, which is on the 18th of December,” she said.