Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has apprehended no fewer than 51 suspected irregular migrants of Malian origin at New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
This was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi on in Abuja, yesterday.
Akinlabi, said preliminary investigations conducted by the service suggest that the migrants may have been victims of Trafficking in Persons, TIP, and Smuggling of Migrants SOM.
This, he said, is because they were found without valid travel documents or residence permit.
According to him, they were apprehended on Monday, following credible intelligence.
“The arrested migrants include 11 females and 40 males between the ages of 16 and 19.
“The arrested individuals have been taken into the custody of the service for further profiling and investigation.
“This is to determine the circumstances of their migration and potential involvement in trafficking or smuggling networks or syndicates,” he said.
Akinlabi noted that the NIS remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are protected against illegal migration, while upholding the rights of migrants who complied with the country’s immigration laws.
He said the Service would continue to work closely with relevant authorities and stakeholders to combat the smuggling of migrants and counter trafficking in persons effectively.
The spokesperson reassured the general public of the NIS unwavering commitment to national security and migration management.
He encouraged citizens to report suspicious migration activities to the nearest NIS commands and formations. NAN
