Senator Ned Nwoko has called on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to develop stronger measures to prevent desperate Nigerians from embarking on dangerous and irregular journeys abroad, which often end in tragedy and damage the country’s reputation.
Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
“The reason many Nigerians end up in foreign prisons lies in the failure of the NIS and Nigerian embassies to carry out due diligence on those traveling abroad,” Nwoko said.
He noted that while many Nigerians travel in search of greener pastures, a significant number do so without genuine intentions or adequate planning, leading them into illegal activities or exploitation overseas.
“Some travel because they are desperate to make money by all means. These are the automatic destitutes and miscreants found in foreign prisons, constituting a nuisance in foreign nations,” he added.
The lawmaker stressed the need for deliberate screening and background checks on all travelers to ensure that migration aligns with legitimate purposes. He clarified that this would not restrict citizens’ freedom of movement but rather protect them and uphold Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Due diligence is not only to protect the lives of citizens but also to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria as an independent nation,” he stated.
Nwoko recommended that the NIS and Nigerian embassies verify the purpose of travel, authenticity of job offers, and legitimacy of host organisations, while also setting up surveillance systems to monitor Nigerians abroad based on verified information.
He further urged Nigerian embassies to strengthen their relationships with citizens abroad, noting that close diplomatic ties are key to effective protection and intervention when issues arise.
The senator also called for cooperation between immigration authorities, embassies, law enforcement agencies, and international organisations to tackle the challenges of irregular migration and human trafficking.
Meanwhile, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to begin immediate diplomatic and humanitarian interventions to rescue and repatriate hundreds of Nigerian women and children held in Libyan prisons. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Aniekan Etim Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom South), who drew attention to the plight of Nigerians trapped in Libya’s detention centres — many victims of trafficking, slavery, and abuse.
