IOM: Over 70,600 Nigerians Returned From Irregular Migration Since 2017
Kola Oyelere, Kano
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says, more than 70,600 Nigerians have been assisted to return to the country from irregular migration journeys since 2017.
The organisation also disclosed that over 44,500 returnees had received reintegration assistance, while others were still undergoing the reintegration process.
The IOM made the disclosure during a two-day co-creation workshop for media practitioners and On-Air Personalities (OAPs), held on September 21 and 22, 2026, at R&K Hotel, Kano.
Speaking at the workshop, IOM Nigeria Communication Officer, Elijah Elaigwu, said the organisation, in collaboration with the Nigerian government and partners, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), had continued to support Nigerians affected by irregular migration.
Elaigwu said the workshop was designed to bring media practitioners and other stakeholders together to address issues surrounding irregular migration and human trafficking.
He stressed that IOM was not opposed to Nigerians travelling abroad, but urged prospective migrants to use regular and documented channels.
“What we are saying is that people should travel the right way. If you want to go into a country, you should have your documentation properly checked and ensure that you have all the relevant documents,” he said.
He also urged intending migrants to understand the conditions and requirements of their destinations and avoid falling into the hands of smugglers and traffickers.
According to him, Kano has continued to record cases of young people embarking on irregular journeys through the borders, making public awareness and access to accurate information critical in preventing exploitation.
Elaigwu called for greater media involvement in efforts to curb irregular migration and human trafficking, saying journalists and media organisations were important partners in countering misinformation about migration.
“We believe that members of the fourth estate are key partners when it comes to addressing misinformation around migration and raising awareness so that people can be well informed before they embark on different journeys,” he said.
He urged media organisations to use their platforms to educate the public on the dangers associated with irregular migration and human trafficking, stressing that sustained awareness campaigns could help reduce the incidence of irregular migration.
Also speaking, the Head of the Public Enlightenment Unit of NAPTIP, Kano Zonal Command, Umar Muhammad, disclosed that the command had received 154 complaints involving human trafficking, child labour, child abuse and other forms of exploitation from January to date.
Muhammad said the agency had secured nine convictions from the cases, with some of those convicted sentenced to between six and seven years in prison.
He explained that many of the remaining cases were still under investigation and prosecution, particularly those involving child abuse and child labour, which often require lengthy investigations.
The NAPTIP official said Kano’s geographical location and proximity to neighbouring states and international borders made it an important transit point for trafficking networks.
“Kano is very close to Katsina and Jigawa, and Kano is a very big town and an exit,” he said.
According to him, trafficking networks sometimes move victims through several states, including Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, before attempting to take them across international borders.
Muhammad described human trafficking as an organised crime and stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to combat the menace.
He said NAPTIP and IOM had also collaborated in profiling and assisting victims of trafficking and Nigerians who returned from irregular migration journeys.
Muhammad described IOM as a key partner of NAPTIP, particularly in providing assistance to trafficked persons and returnees.
He urged stakeholders, especially the media, to intensify public enlightenment efforts to prevent vulnerable Nigerians from falling victim to traffickers and smugglers.