Senate President Bukola Saraki says the alarming tide of human trafficking and illegal migration by some Nigerians is a threat to national security.
On 3 November, 26 Nigerians girls drowned while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. They were buried in the Italian city of Salerno last Friday.
Last Monday, CNN reported that some African migrants – most of them Nigerians – were being sold into slavery in Libya. The report sparked off a controversy in the country.
Responding to the high incidents of illegal migration by Nigerians in a press statement, the senate president said the upper legislative chamber would support the federal government and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to work out a cohesive and comprehensive national response to the evil.
He said human trafficking and illegal migration activities had reached crisis proportions in the country with severe implications for national security.
“As you know through your valuable work, human trafficking and illegal migration are the EU’s number one issue with Nigeria,” he said.
“The European Union members fear these issues fuel the attraction of many citizens to the divisive messages espoused by ultra nationalist political parties.”
He lamented that thousands of young Nigerians continue to risk their lives unnecessarily to transit across the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea on the false promise of a better life in Europe and beyond.
“The crisis has exposed the ruthless human trafficking, smuggling and criminal cartels that profit on the hopes and dreams of these young people. Many of these unscrupulous groups are organised by Nigerians,” he added.
“Unfortunately, this has caused some in the international community and media to shine negative attention on Nigeria, in this respect, the human trafficking and illegal migration crisis has become a national security issue.
“In response, the senate is in agreement with NAPTIP that human trafficking is a national priority and represents a danger to national and human security.
“Also, we look to work with the federal government and NAPTIP in the creation of a cohesive and comprehensive national response to the migration crisis.”
