IOM: 70,600 Nigerians have returned from irregular migration since 2017

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that over 70,600 Nigerians had returned home since 2017 after traveling irregularly, according to Elijah Alaigwu, the IOM Nigeria Communication Officer. During a workshop in Kano on September 21-22, 2026, Alaigwu emphasized that IOM continues to collaborate with the Nigerian government and partners, such as the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), to support those affected by irregular migration.

While IOM does not discourage travel abroad, it advocates for using legitimate channels to prevent exploitation by smugglers and traffickers. Alaigwu advised prospective migrants to obtain proper documentation and understand the requirements of their destination countries. He highlighted the importance of public awareness and accurate information in preventing young people from falling victim to irregular migration.

Kano continues to record cases of young people attempting irregular journeys across borders, underscoring the need for increased media involvement in addressing the issue. The Head of NAPTIP Kano Zonal Command, Umar Muhammad, informed that the agency received 154 complaints related to human trafficking, child labor, child abuse, and other forms of exploitation between January and the present.

NAPTIP has secured nine convictions, with sentences ranging from six to seven years in prison. Muhammad noted that Kano serves as a critical transit point for trafficking networks due to its location near Katsina and Jigawa states and international borders. Trafficking networks often move victims through multiple states, including Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, before attempting to cross international borders.

Muhammad emphasized the organized nature of human trafficking and called for continued collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, the media, and other stakeholders to combat the issue. He urged the media and other stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns to prevent vulnerable Nigerians from falling prey to traffickers and smugglers.