By Godwin Ajom
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has urged Nigerians to avoid illegal migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, and other border-related offenses in Cross River and nine other Nigerian states.
Led by Comptroller Prisca Ogbodo, the Cross River State Command recently completed a nationwide awareness campaign on Smuggling of Migrants (SOM). NIS said the campaign is part of a coordinated effort conducted across the border states in November 2024.
In the course of the week-long outreach, the State Command connected with local communities, traditional leaders, universities, religious organizations, and other groups in the initiative that aims to educate the public about the risks associated with irregular migration, particularly the dangers of migrant smuggling.
Various activities were said to have been held to support the awareness campaign, including seminars, community discussions, school outreach programs, rallies, and public engagements at markets and stakeholder events.
During the campaign’s launch, Comptroller Ogbodo encouraged NIS personnel to act as advocates against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, stating that “the geographic situation of Cross River as a border state implies consequently that the state would be a source, transit, and destination location for irregular migration including smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons.”
Responses of the campaign in Cross River State emphasized the urgency of the SOM issue. For instance, at the Edim-Otop market sensitization, traders called for “strengthened government response on people and organ trafficking,” while attendees at the Nyangasang town hall shared painful stories as former victims of smuggling.
According to the NIS State Command, this nationwide campaign is backed by provisions from PART X to XVII of the Immigration Act 2015, which prohibits migrant smuggling, mandates restitution for victims, and prescribes penalties.
Upon conviction, the Act enforces a penalty of up to ten years imprisonment or a fine of no less than one million Naira, or both, along with a requirement for offenders to repay any money taken from migrants during the offense.
The Service also explained that the goal of the campaign is to prevent crime through public education and uphold migrant rights, in accordance with both national and international standards.
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