NIS Processes Over 239,000 Travellers At Abuja Airport, As 625,000 Nigerians Were Deported In 2020.
The Nigerian Immigration Services NIS says it has recorded tremendous success in the discharge of its core mandate at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, despite threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
A signed statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI James Sunday made available to Channel Network Afrique indicates that personal protective equipments which includes installation of glass shields that separates operatives from passengers were set up, the use of face mask, hand gloves, hand sanitizer were also enforced to insulate it’s personnel from contracting Covid 19.
Giving a review of the service operational activities at NAIA, Abuja, DCI James said thirty four (34) Nigerians predominantly young ladies were refused departure to Dubai for non compliance and violation of immigration regulations and other extant laws.
He said further investigation revealed that the ladies between the ages of 18 to 28 were victims of human trafficking been transported for the purpose of forced prostitution and sex exploitation.
DCI james also noted that six (6) recruiters/traffickers connected to the crime were apprehended with three (3) of their sponsors in Dubai identified due to the change of it’s operational strategy.
Further review indicates that 239, 114 outbound and inbound migrants passed through NAIA, Abuja between January 1st to December 15th 2020.
“So far, 73, 582 Nigerians and 46,665 Non Nigerians departed NAIA, Abuja for various destinations abroad. Similarly, 81, 277 Nigerians and 37,590 Non Nigerians arrived through NAIA within the period under review. A total of 625 Nigerians were deported and 24 repatriated for various criminal and immigration related offences abroad. In the same vein, 12 foreign nationals who failed to comply with Nigerian entry requirements were refused admission and returned” He added.
DCI James also stated that the NAIA command received and handed over 100 Nigerians whose offences are not immigration related to relevant agencies, that is; drug related issues, financial crimes, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
He however attributed the successes to the impact of the NIS Comptroller General, CGI Muhammad Babandede’s transformation agenda in the deployment of Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) which has enhanced air border management at all the aiports as well as the smooth and seamless passenger processing.
The statement further acknowledged the efforts of the Comptroller of Immigration Service, NAIA command, Sadat Hassan, for operating an air tight entry and exit point that resulted in the various arrest.
The service further urged the general public to cooperate with the operatives at the airport during clearance procedure to reduce human contacts as well as curtial the spread of Covid 19.
