We deported 792 illegal immigrants - Nigeria immigration
The comptroller also said that during the period under review 55 illegal immigrants were denied entry into Nigeria at different border posts across the state.
- Nigeria Immigration Service, Cross River command, deported 792 illegal immigrants in 2016
- The command also claim to have rescued 65 victims of human trafficking in Cross River
No less than 792 illegal immigrants were deported from Nigeria in 2016, according to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Cross River state. About 65 viticms of human trafficking were also rescued.
News Agency of Nigeria reported that the state Comptroller of NIS, Mrs Funke Adeuyi, said this when the country representative of the United Nations Office, Mrs Cristina Albertin, paid her courtesy visit in Calabar on Tuesday, January 24.
Nigeria government deports 792 illegal immigrants
Adeuyi told Albertin that the illegal immigrants were arrested at different border posts across the state.
She said that the command did a thorough profiling of the said immigrants and found them lacking valid travel document to enter Nigeria.
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The comptroller also said that during the period under review 55 illegal immigrants were denied entry into Nigeria at different border posts across the state.
She said: “Between January and December 2016, we repatriated 792 illegal immigrants to their countries while 65 victims of human trafficking were rescued at different border posts in the state.
“During the same period, 55 illegal immigrants were refused entry into Nigeria for lack of valid travel documents and other related reasons.
“Due to the contiguous nature of borders (land and marine) between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, we have challenges of illegal immigrants coming in through irregular border lines outside regular control posts.
“We will, however, continue to police the borders to curb illegal migration, child theft and trafficking and other heinous crimes in the state.
“The UNODC is one of the partners of the NIS and we believe we can work together in the area of workshops and public enlightenment.”
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Adeuyi said that the command would sensitize transporters, boat owners and local communities to enable them see the ills of child trafficking and child labour among others issues.
Meanwhile, an official of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has been arrested after he stormed a worship centre in Jalingo, Taraba state with an AK-47 rifle and vandalized property belonging to the worship centre.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the police command in the state, Mr David Misal, Idris broke into the church and that he sustained injury during the process of his arrest.