Chukwu Obinna 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Efforts to curb irregular migration have intensified as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disclosed that it blocked 332 foreign nationals from entering the country through the Seme Border for failing to provide valid travel documents. Additionally, 294 Nigerians attempting illegal migration abroad were intercepted.
Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, revealed these actions on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting themed “Evolving Patterns in Smuggling of Migrants: Towards a Coordinated National Response.”
Nandap said enhanced border surveillance, including new CCTV deployments and strengthened patrols, led to the rescue of 36 victims of human trafficking and child labour.
“The fight against the smuggling of migrants is not only a security imperative but also a moral responsibility,” she said. “Every smuggled migrant represents a life at risk and a family disrupted.”
She added that the Service has boosted training, institutional coordination, and community-level awareness to detect recruitment networks exploiting vulnerable youths amid rising “Japa” migration trends.
“Our success depends on acting as one national front guided by protection, accountability, and human dignity,” Nandap noted. “No single agency can tackle this alone. Collaboration is the only way forward.”
She called for continued partnership among state institutions, civil society, border communities and international partners, warning that smugglers are increasingly adapting routes and methods.
The sensitisation session also highlighted the need for improved prosecution frameworks to dismantle trafficking syndicates.
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Korede Abdullah 
Oluwatobi Adu 
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