The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has deported 167 illegal migrants to Nigeria.
The Public Relations Officer, National Agency for the Prohibition for Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal office, Aliyu Abba made this known in Kano on Wednesday.
Abba, however, revealed that seven out of the illegal migrants repatriated from Saudi Arabia, were from Ghana, while one is from Burkina Faso.
He also said the Agency in collaboration with International Organisation for Migration (IOM) rescued about 255 people from human traffickers, including 983 illegal and irregular migrants, who left the country without proper documentation.
“These people were on their ways to different countries, like Saudi Arabia, Beirut. Dubai Lebanon and other foreign countries, they were apprehended and brought back to the country, through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA),” Abba said.
He further said all those rescued from human traffickers or received as illegal migrants that needed prosecution were charged to court, while others that were non-Nigerians were deported to their respective embassies and reunited with their families.
On various risks involved in human trafficking, Abba noted that there were personal and societal risks on their way to Libya and Italy, such as intimidation and harassment by the respective foreign country’s security patrols, while some traveling through the desert met their untimely deaths.
He advised those seeking greener pastures through illegal means not to become prey in the hands of over ambitious persons, who were ready to sacrifice their lives to achieve their selfish ego.
Abba who represented the Zonal Commander, Abdullahi Babale said NAPTIP Kano had secured 17 convictions from January 2023 till date.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
