Nigeria Immigration Service Blocks 294 Attempted Irregular Migrants At Seme Border

According to Ireporter Online, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted 294 Nigerians attempting to leave the country under suspicious circumstances and denied entry to 332 undocumented migrants at the Seme border in recent weeks.

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar themed “Evolving Patterns in Smuggling of Migrants: Towards a Coordinated National Response.” She noted that 36 victims of human trafficking and child labour were also rescued at the border, thanks to intensified surveillance measures supported by newly installed CCTV cameras.

“These figures were recorded over a short period, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge we face,” Nandap said. She explained that many of the rescued individuals were young Nigerians lured by traffickers with promises of lucrative employment abroad.

Highlighting the impact of technology, Nandap stated that the recently deployed CCTV systems at the Seme border post have enhanced monitoring capabilities and exposed previously unknown smuggling routes exploited by criminal networks.

“Our recent operations have been highly successful, particularly through the use of advanced surveillance systems that allow us to track illegal movements and rescue victims in real-time,” she said.

The immigration chief expressed concern over the growing trend of young Nigerians attempting irregular migration, warning that such routes often expose them to dangerous conditions. “It is disheartening to see young people risking their lives for opportunities abroad that may never materialize,” she added.

She also pointed out that victims of trafficking frequently end up in exploitative labour arrangements, prostitution, or modern slavery, emphasizing that public awareness and education are essential in tackling the issue.

Describing migrant smuggling as a complex and transnational challenge, Nandap noted that criminal groups now operate across borders, making enforcement more demanding. She stated that the NIS is working with local and international partners, including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to strengthen intelligence sharing, legal frameworks, and enforcement efforts.

“The Service has adopted a comprehensive approach, combining legal reforms, public awareness campaigns, and inter-agency cooperation to combat irregular migration,” she said. Nandap urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to pursue legal migration pathways and reaffirmed the NIS’s commitment to cracking down on traffickers and smugglers nationwide.