NIS Warns Against Smuggling Of Migrants Into Nigeria

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has warned border communities and citizens against smuggling migrants into the country.

The NIS Cross River State Command led by Comptroller Prisca Ogbodo gave the warning during a nationwide sensitization on the smuggling of migrants (SOM) in Cross River State.

The sensitization campaign, which targets all nine border communities across the country, aimed at educating communities on the legal implications of aiding smuggling and human trafficking.

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At the flag-off of the campaign in Cross River State, Comptroller Ogbodo advised personnel to be ambassadors against smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons.

Ogbodo said the Command would take the “campaign to communities, traditional rulers, tertiary institutions, religious congregations and the Calabar public; educating them on the perils of irregular migration and particularly smuggling of migrants“.

“The geographic situation of Cross River as a border state implies consequentially that the state would be a source, transit and destination location for irregular migration including smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons,” Ogbodo explained.

The campaign centers on educating the communities on the Immigration Act 2015, Part X to XVII, which “prohibits smuggling of migrants, prescribes restitution for victims and imposes a penalty for the offense”.

According to the Nation, Ogbodo emphasized the hope to prevent migrant smuggling and other border-related crimes “through public awareness and the protection of the rights of migrants in line with national and International guidelines.”