NIS Urges Nigerians to Shun Irregular Migration

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has described the “Japa Syndrome” in Nigeria as a big challenge to those going through illegal ports of exit in the quest for greener pastures.

The Comptroller of NIS Ekiti Command, Kayode Ademola made the remark during the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Service, held in Ado-Ekiti.

According to him, many of our youths die in the Sahara, Mediterranean sea and so on.

 “From available data from the International Organisation for Migration at least 1,200 Nigerians have died while trying to migrate through the Sahara and Mediterranean Sea in 2023 alone. 

“For those who survive, the dream of reaching their desired destination quickly becomes a mirage, some spend several months, even years in cells abroad for irregular migration, some are taken hostage by pirates who rob, maim and sometimes rape the female victims.”

Ademola pointed out that many Nigerians wanted to travel abroad for reasons best known to them, describing it as a welcome idea which must be embedded in safe, orderly and regular migration.

He however maintained that Nigerians willing to travel abroad should reach out to any of NIS offices nationwide for necessary information and guidelines.

He commended the Acting Comptroller General, Caroline Adepoju for deeming it necessary to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Nigeria Immigration Service with funfair, underscoring that the past six decades had been a period of passionate service to the nation and fatherland.

The security chief said Nigeria Immigration Service “has gone through a series of transformations, taking the country from the analogue years to the digital era.

“The agency has achieved a lot within these years in different areas of operations ranging from issuance of travel documents – passport, visa and residence permit – border management, migration management, national security and several others.”