Martins Moye, who is in charge of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Edo State, has warned that the number of illegal immigrants entering Nigeria, especially through unofficial routes, is rising. The NIS held a campaign in Benin City to teach people about the risks and dangers of illegal migration. During that campaign, this problem was talked about. Moye stressed how important it was to act quickly, saying that illegal immigration not only threatens national security but also puts refugees in great danger.
The three-day campaign, which went to busy places like markets, motor parks, and the palace of the Enogie (Duke) of Eyaen, was meant to raise knowledge about the problems that come with illegal migration. During the campaign, Moye’s main goal was to get people to move legally and safely, and he pushed for a controlled and organized process to stop abuse and exploitation. It was a big part of his message that migration is not inherently bad, but it must be done legally to avoid the risks that come with illegal routes.
Assistant Controller of Immigration David Amanahu, who also took part in the campaign, talked about how Edo State is doing in dealing with illegal migration. In the past, Edo has been one of the worst states in Nigeria for illegal immigration, with a lot of people trying to get to other countries in illegal ways. Amanahu did say, though, that recent work by the NIS in Edo State has led to changes. It is no longer the state with the highest rate of irregular movement, which he said was a good sign. He said this was because of the work of all the NIS officers in the state and how they took action to solve the problem. This shows that the NIS’s efforts are starting to have an effect, as the number of illegal immigrants leaving the region has gone down.
Amanahu also shared a message from Kemi Nandap, the Controller-General of the NIS, which emphasized that the agency would be focusing more on problems related to border control and migration. Nandap’s message says that the NIS is now stepping up its efforts to better handle both the border and the migration process. This includes making sure that migration only happens through official routes. This cuts down on the chance of illegal activities that lead to trafficking, exploitation, and other crimes.
Woshak Danladi, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, said that illegal immigration has very bad effects. He said that people who cross the border illegally often end up in terrible situations, like being abused, having their rights violated, or even dying. Danladi also talked about the dangers of organ trafficking and being taken advantage of by criminal groups that target refugees who are weak. These thieves take advantage of people who don’t have the right paperwork and are desperate to find better opportunities abroad. People and NIS officers were both told by Danladi to stay alert to these risks because illegal movement can have terrible effects on society as a whole as well as on the people who come here.
The NIS is working in Edo State as part of a larger plan to stop people from crossing into Nigeria illegally. Both the government and the NIS want to improve how migration is handled so that it happens in a safe, organized, and controlled way. Edo State’s efforts are paying off, but more needs to be done to deal with the problems that lead to people migrating illegally in the first place. These include poverty, unemployment, and a lack of education. These issues make people look for other, more dangerous ways to move.
The campaign’s success in Edo State also shows how important it is for communities to be involved in solving migration problems. The NIS is building a network of support for safe migration by working with local leaders like the Enogie of Eyaen and talking to people in their everyday lives. The campaign’s goal of raising knowledge is very important for lowering the number of Nigerians who are victims of human traffickers and networks that help people cross borders illegally.
Nigeria still has to deal with problems caused by illegal migration, so it is important that the NIS focuses on border security, public education, and legal ways to move to Nigeria. Not only do they need to control the flow of migrants, but they also need to make sure that people who do want to move know the right steps to take and the risks they may face if they choose to go the illegal way. The NIS wants to make people more aware of and obedient to migration laws so that illegal movement has fewer negative effects, Nigerians are safer, and the country’s border management system is stronger.
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