IOM, NAPTIP, board urge synergy to curb illegal migration, others

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Women’s Board (WB) have canvassed collaborative efforts at combating irregular migration, human trafficking and smuggling in Nigeria.

The calls were made yesterday at a one-day seminar tagged, “Promoting Safe Migration,” and organised by the training unit of the Women’s Board Educational Co-operative Society.

IOM Nigeria Officer, Ruth Mbugua, who cautioned against irregular migration, urged more partnership to put an end to the menace.

She advised potential migrants to partner with relevant agencies to ensure safe migration, adding: “Many people, including women and children, are on the Mediterranean root to other countries risking their lives in search of greener pastures and opportunities without being aware of dangers on the way.”

Mbugua lamented that many of them fall victims of exploitation, including child labour, force labour, organ harvesting, force marriage, prostitution and so on during their migratory journey.

She, therefore, called for empowerment of women and girls to reduce vulnerability and irregular migration in the country.

SIMILARLY, a representative of Bakhita Empowerment Network, Rev. Gertrude Elelegu, during her lecture on “Human Dignity and Irregular Migration,” ascribed the incessant killings, kidnapping, insecurity and separated homes in the country as major causes of irregular migration.

She added that “irregular migration and human trafficking had reached crisis proportions in many fragile states and the need to clampdown on the menace is germane to prevent impeding dangers because human trafficking is a violation of human rights.”

ALSO, the Zonal Commander, NAPTIP, Lagos, Mr. Aganran Alao, urged Nigerians to discourage irregular migration and trafficking of women and girls to promote a sustainable development.

Alao, who was represented by Head, Research and Programme Development Unit, Lagos, Mrs. Rachel Uzor, said: “The problem of human trafficking and irregular migration has become a great national concern, especially with a large number of Nigerians trapped in sexual and labour exploitations in various African and European countries.

Earlier, Director, WB, Mrs. Edna Dafe, said the programme was aimed at preventing the causes of irregular migrations to promote socio-economic development of women and unaccompanied minors. She identified socio-economic challenges as major factors that continued to trigger irregular migration in Nigeria.