By Zubairu Idris
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), ‘Jibiya Special Border Command’ has embarked on Anti Smuggling of Migrants sensitisation, in its efforts to stem transborder crimes and check illegal migration.
Its Comptroller, Mr Haruna Suleiman-Zakirai, said on Wednesday in Jibiya that the two-day campaign was aimed at sensitising the border communities and the public against the dangers associated with the ugly trend.
Reports say that the theme of the sensitisation is: “Say no to Migrants Smuggling, if you must migrate, migrate orderly, safely and regularly”.
The comptroller revealed that one could easily fall victim of organ harvest, child labour, prostitution or recruitment by criminal groups.
Suleiman-Zakirai said that traffickers normally mislead and deceive their victims by giving them false information on greener pasture abroad.
“Trafficking is a crime against humanity, it is a network, but we are also equal to the task, our officers are up-and-doing to protect the citizens from such criminals.
“Anytime we rescue victims, we educate them on the risks associated with the illegal migration they may likely face either on the road or after reaching their destination.
“We then hand them over to NAPTIP for further action and reunion with their families,” the comptroller said.
He therefore advised people whenever they wanted to travel out of the country to have valid travel documents and go through recognised border control posts to avoid falling into human trafficking track.
Suleiman-Zakirai pointed out that the state has seven recognised control posts, including; Jibiya/Magama, Jibiya/Maje, Dankama, Zango, Mai’aduwa, Kongolon and Babban-Mutum in addition to Yardaje and Birnin-Kuka outposts.
According to him, the command is covering a total of 220 kilometers from Jibiya to Babban-Mutum.
He urged border communities to intensify efforts in providing credible information to the service on suspicious movements of irregular immigrants for prompt response.