NIS, UN partner to curb smuggling of migrants

The Nigeria Immigration Service has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen efforts against the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking through cyberspace awareness.

According to a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI AS Akinlabi, and posted on the NIS official X handle on Tuesday, the meeting was held on Monday at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.

According to statement, the meeting aimed to enhance partnership in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling through digital means.

It added that “the UNODC delegation led by Ms. Baranage Diana Marcus, Project Coordinator on Cybercrime expressed their readiness and willingness to collaborate with the Nigeria Immigration Service in her efforts to curb migrant smuggling through digital means, and to explore strategies for supporting the Service’s efforts in combating migration-related cybercrimes.”

Representing the Comptroller-General of Immigration, K. N. Nandap, the Deputy Comptroller-General, Migration Directorate, N. Odikpo, commended the UNODC for what she described as a vital collaboration.

The Deputy-Comptroller General Migration Directorate, N Odikpo, representing the Comptroller-General, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, commended the UNODC for the timely engagement, describing it as timely and vital to the Service’s drive to address emerging trends in Trafficking of Persons and Smuggling of Migrants,” the statement added.

Odikpo emphasised the need for urgent and coordinated measures to strengthen digital surveillance and enforcement capacity.

The Deputy-Comptroller General ICT & CyberSecurity Directorate, Augusta Obianime, reiterated the importance of sustained partnership and technical support to enhance the Service’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to such crimes effectively.

“The engagement with UNODC further underscores NIS commitment to partnering relevant stakeholders and international organisations for enhanced Migration Governance,” the service noted.