The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has warned Nigerians against falling victim to fake migration offers, cautioning that criminal networks are increasingly targeting vulnerable citizens with deceptive promises of employment, education, and better living conditions abroad.
The Service explained that these schemes are often coordinated by organized criminal syndicates who lure unsuspecting individuals—particularly young women and girls—into irregular migration routes that frequently end in human trafficking, forced labour, and other forms of exploitation.
It stressed that no genuine travel arrangement bypasses established immigration procedures or authorized border posts, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and ensure that all travel-related opportunities are properly verified through relevant government agencies before any commitments are made.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, advised Nigerians to exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited offers of sponsorship, travel assistance, or relocation opportunities from unknown or unverified individuals.
He noted that many of such offers are designed to defraud or exploit victims under the guise of helping them travel abroad.
Akinlabi urged members of the public to confirm the authenticity of all travel and recruitment opportunities through official government channels, warning against engaging with agents or individuals who promote or facilitate irregular migration.
He also encouraged Nigerians to promptly report any suspicious movements, activities, or persons involved in such schemes to the nearest Nigeria Immigration Service formation or other relevant security agencies.
The Service called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to play an active role in sensitizing young people about the dangers associated with irregular migration and trafficking in persons, emphasizing that awareness at the community level remains critical in preventing exploitation.
The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and protecting citizens from exploitation, stressing that it will continue to intensify efforts to curb irregular migration and dismantle criminal networks involved in cross-border trafficking.
For further clarification, assistance, or inquiries, the public was encouraged to contact the Nigeria Immigration Service through its verified communication channels.
