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…Reveals handing over of 522 victims of trafficking to NAPTEP
…Flags off campaign to discourage irregular migration
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Newky-comfirmed Controller General of Immigration (CGI), Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, has warned that if the practice of bringing in and employing foreign prisoners in the foreign-own companies operating in Nigeria was permitted in the past, it will no longer happen under her watch.
She handed the warning at a press conference held at the Immigration’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, warning that if there was failure in that aspect in the past, there is a new sheriff in town who will not tolerate that any longer.
She also revealed that no fewer than 522 victims of trafficked persons to National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTEP).
Wura-Ola, who also flagged off campaign to discourage irregular migration in the country, also disclosed that a total number of 12 persons involved in trafficking syndicate are currently undergoing prosecution.
While emphasising that migration is not a crime, she brought message of hope that in 2022 alone, remittances stood at a total volume of $22 billion.
Asked to give the statistics of victims of traffickers, she said: “As for the number of arrested suspected migrant smugglers we have 12 of them currently undergoing trials. Then the number of objects, people, migrants smuggled out of the country, repatriated and reunited with their families through the help of Nigeria Immigration are 208. The number of migrants smuggling cases under investigation and recommended for prosecution are 12.
We are prosecuting all the people arrested for smuggling other people. The number of suspected traffickers, victims of trafficking in persons handed over to NAPTEP are 522,” she gave the breakdown.
On engaging foreigners serving prison terms, the CGI said: “Saying that Chinese prisoners are brought in and employed in their companies in Nigeria is very subjective. It is contrary to international convention to name a particular race. However, before anybody comes into the country, they are subjected to thorough checks before issuing visa applications.
“Any foreigner intending to come into Nigeria must get to our embassies to apply for visa, we will subject them to thorough screening before granting them visa. If there was failure in that aspect in the past, there is a new sheriff in town. Under my administration, we will ensure that such will not happen.
“We need to tighten the screws and continue to do our best to ensure that proper investigations are carried out on intending migrants to Nigeria. I will take it as a challenge and by God’s grace, we will begin to sing a new song,” she assured.
Speaking further on the weeklong event, he said: “Smuggling of migrants is a serious transnational crime that poses significant challenges to governments around the world.”
“Nigeria as a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants is particularly affected by the activities of migrant smugglers. This illicit trade not only exploits vulnerable individuals and puts their lives at risk, but also undermines the integrity of our borders and national security,” she said.
