Immigration Moves to Curb Illegal, Irregular Migration in C'River
The Cross River Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it has initiated action to curb the activities of illegal and irregular migration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Ibiama Oshiokamel, made the disclosure during a sensitisation program
in Calabar on Friday.
The sensitisation program which is being carried out simultaneously nationwide, has the theme: "Say No To Migrant Smuggling; If You Must, Migrate Orderly, Safely, and Regularly."
Oshiokamel, who is the state's second in command, said both kinetic and non kinetic approaches are being adopted to address the menace.
She pointed out that the approach involves continuous and regular patrol and monitoring of borders, as well as sensitisation programs to create awareness about the inherent danger of illegal migration.
According to her, the inherent danger of illegal and irregular migration far outweighs its benefits and thus calls for concerted effort from both the NIS and Nigerians to address the challenges.
"As you can, we are moving round market places, workshop centers and parks to sensitise the public on the danger of illegal migration because the public needs to know of these dangers.
"We are not saying don't travel out. All we are saying is do it the right way by obtaining the right documents and going through the regular channel.
"It may interest you to know that those who travel through the irregular process are often exploited aside from being killed through these irregular channels.
"Because of our constant patrol at the border post, several arrests have been made.
"So, our going out for this sensitisation is for the message to be spread on the danger of illegal and irregular migration," she stated.
Similarly, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Bissong Bestman, said the NIS took the decision to carry out the sensitisation to public places for most locals to have information on the inherent danger.
Bestman noted that the danger of illegal migration involved sexual exploitation, financial exploitation, and human trafficking.
According to him, "Now, what are the ills which we are trying to guide against?
"We cannot say we are not aware of how difficult things are. People are looking for refuge outside.
"Those are part of the reasons why people migrate, for a better life, for education, and for other medical, tourism, and the rest.
"But so many of these people who fall ill to this particular crime are those people from the lower calibers of people in Nigeria.
"That is why the NIS took the decision to go down to markers places, worship centers, and parks for this sensitisation, which was before now restricted to NYSC camps alone.(NAN)
