Human smuggling: FG deepens intelligence capabilities, dismantle criminal networks

The Federal Government has pledged to further strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence architecture and border security framework to dismantle organised human smuggling syndicates exploiting vulnerable migrants.
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The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Mrs Kemi Nandap, said this on Monday in Abuja at the inauguration of the 2025 Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Week.

Nandap was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General, (DCG), in charge of Works and Logistics, Mrs Ada James Umanah.

Declaring the event open, Nandap said the FG was intensifying a multi-layered response to emerging trends in migrant smuggling that pose serious risks to human life and national security.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Service, pledging that the NIS would continue to deepen border security and intelligence capabilities.

She also assured that the service would dismantle smuggling networks and prosecute offenders, and protect migrants. especially women and children from exploitation,

She added that the Service would also strengthen domestic and international partnerships, and uphold the dignity and human rights of migrants regardless of status.

Nandap said Nigeria, as a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants, could not afford to ignore the growing sophistication of smuggling networks.

This, she said, was why they now rely heavily on digital platforms, encrypted communication, falsified documents and transnational criminal collaborations.

She warned that migrants were increasingly exposed to grave dangers, including trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation, violence and death, particularly along irregular desert and sea routes.

“The activities of smugglers threaten border integrity, public safety and internal security.

“The NIS, with the support of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has adopted a technology-driven and intelligence-led strategy to combat the menace.

“The Service has strengthened surveillance across land, sea and air borders through the deployment of a Command and Control Centre that mirrors nationwide operations, alongside the Migration Information and Data Analysis System.

“Also, Advanced Passenger Information Systems, Passenger Name Records, e-gates at international airports and Huawei-powered e-border solutions installed at more than 144 border locations nationwide,”she maintained.

Nandap added that Nigeria had continued to deepen cooperation with regional and international partners, including (ECOWAS), the African Union,(AU), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,(UNODC) among others.

This, she said, were to enhance capacity building, intelligence sharing, joint investigations and safe return programmes, while bilateral agreements with transit and destination countries have improved early warning systems and cross-border law enforcement.

“The Service had scaled up public sensitisation to counter the false narratives used by smugglers to lure young Nigerians, revealing that more than 579,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were sensitised this year alone.

“This is in addition to widespread outreach in border communities, schools, transport unions and youth associations across the country.

“The campaigns focus on exposing digital recruitment tactics, fake job offers abroad and the importance of safe, orderly and regular migration channels,” she emphasised.

The NIS boss, however, stressed that the fight against migrant smuggling required collective responsibility.

She called on families, communities, traditional institutions, civil society, the media and development partners to work together to protect vulnerable populations and secure Nigeria’s borders against criminal exploitation.

Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG)in charge of Migration Directorate, Mrs Ngozi Odikpo, described the weeklong activities as an opportunity to reinforce national and global commitment to safe migration.

Odikpo said that the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Week would climax on December 18, which marks the International Migrants Day.

She also expressed appreciation to international partners for their technical support and capacity-building interventions, assuring that the NIS remains committed to sustaining strong partnerships

This, she said, would be in pursuit of safe, orderly and regular migration, border security and national development.

Our correspondent reports that the theme of the event is, “Smuggling of Migrants: Emerging Trends, Realities and National Response,”