Connect with us

News

Over 20,000 Stranded Nigerians Returned Home Through IOM Assistance

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

More than 20,197 Nigerians who were stranded in various countries have voluntarily returned home through repatriation exercises facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The returnees were assisted under the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, which was supported by the Nigerian government and its diplomatic missions abroad.

Women and girls made up 88% of the returnees, while men accounted for 13%.

Advertisement

The majority of the victims of trafficking (VoTs) were between 18 and 39 years old, with those aged 18 to 25 being particularly vulnerable to human trafficking.

Many of them had been trapped in transit and destination countries along irregular migration routes, especially in Libya, Niger, and Mali.

Between April 2017 and May 2018, over 7,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Libyan detention centers and urban areas, while another 750 returned from neighboring countries. By February 2022, the total number of assisted returnees had risen to 19,452. In early 2024 alone, 167 victims were repatriated, 81% of whom were female. The trend is not new, as female victims peaked in 2022 with 908 cases, while male victims were significantly lower at 166.

Economic hardship remains the primary driver of irregular migration, with 94% of returnees citing the search for better opportunities as their motivation. Other reasons included job searches (2%), escaping family issues (1%), and factors such as education, family reunification, or fleeing violence (3%).

Advertisement

Italy, Libya, and Mali were among the most common destinations for these migrants, accounting for nearly 60% of all returnees. Italy alone accounted for 26%, while Germany, Spain, the UAE, France, Lebanon, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire were also listed as preferred destinations. Libya stood out as the main country of exploitation, with 53% of victims suffering abuse there, followed by Mali with 29%.

For years, Libya has been both a destination and a transit hub for Nigerians attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has seen increasing cases of slavery and extortion, which have become a source of income for some Libyan communities.

Most victims of trafficking were subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. IOM data showed that 1,114 victims—82% of them female—were forced into labor in Libya, while Mali was known for sex trade exploitation, affecting 1,109 victims, 98% of whom were women. Traffickers used various control tactics, including physical and psychological abuse, deception, threats, and wage withholding. The majority of victims were trafficked by people they knew—friends or acquaintances—accounting for 46.6% of female victims and 53.2% of male victims.

The IOM has partnered with government agencies and NGOs to support reintegration efforts, with over 3,122 victims (64%) successfully reintegrated. Assistance provided includes medical care and vocational training to help returnees achieve economic stability. However, many returnees face uncertainty about their future, struggling with financial instability and reintegration into their communities. Vulnerable groups include survivors of gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors, those with severe mental and physical health needs, and individuals exposed to violence.

Advertisement

Former spokesperson for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Zakaria Dauda, noted that despite the challenges returnees face, some still attempt to migrate again, believing life is better abroad. He explained that NAPTIP is working on sensitization to bridge this gap, but there is a strong push-and-pull factor. Many young people think the grass is greener on the other side, but they fail to realize that success requires effort.

Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, emphasized the need for informed decision-making. “We cannot stop people from leaving, but we can educate them on the risks and help them make informed migration choices,” she said.

News

Watch out as FCT minister Nyesom Wike appears on Arise tv today as special guest

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT will tonight by 8pm appear on Arise tv as special guest.

Continue Reading

News

Court Nullifies Onise of Ise’s Installation, Orders Lagos Govt To Withdraw Staff Of Office

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Lagos State High Court has nullified the installation and coronation of Ibrahim Adebowale Saliu as the Onise of Ise Kingdom in the Lekki Local Council Development Area of Epe Local Government Area.

The court also ordered the Lagos State Government to withdraw the appointment letter, staff of office and official recognition granted to Saliu following his installation on August 21, 2026.

Justice Yetunde Adesola Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, gave the orders on Friday, September 11, 2026, in a ruling on an application filed by Alhaji Adeniyi Atere and Mrs Idowu Adebisi Lana in Suit No. LD/0022PRA/2026.

Advertisement

The applicants had approached the court to challenge the process that produced Saliu as the Oba-elect and his subsequent appointment and installation as the Onise of Ise.

In her ruling, Justice Adesanya directed Saliu to surrender the appointment letter, staff of office and other official materials issued to him in connection with the disputed installation.

The judge also restrained him from parading or presenting himself as the Onise of Ise pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The legal battle followed an earlier interim order issued by Justice S. I. Sonaike on August 13, 2026, restraining the Lagos State Government and other defendants from taking further steps to appoint Saliu based on a March 30, 2026 letter forwarding his name as the Oba-elect.

Advertisement

The earlier order was made against allegations that the selection process failed to comply with the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law, 2015, and the Registered Declaration governing the selection of the Onise of Ise.

Although the interim injunction was expected to remain in force for seven days, the parties were scheduled to return to court on August 20 to report compliance and continue proceedings.

The court found that the relevant respondents had been duly served with the order and were aware of the pending case. It noted that some of the respondents had even filed a motion dated August 18 seeking to discharge or set aside the injunction.

Despite the pending proceedings, the installation and coronation of Saliu took place on August 21 at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development in Alausa, Ikeja.

Advertisement

The applicants subsequently told the court that the state government proceeded with the ceremony in defiance of the subsisting court order. Photographs from the installation and coronation were among the evidence presented before the court.

After considering the affidavits, documents and submissions of the parties, Justice Adesanya held that the earlier injunction had been breached.

The judge further considered whether the court had the power to reverse an act that had already been carried out despite an injunction.

She held that although injunctions are ordinarily issued to prevent an action from taking place, the court can, in exceptional circumstances, grant a mandatory injunction requiring parties to undo an act already carried out.

Advertisement

The court relied on previous judicial authorities, including cases involving the Central Bank of Nigeria and a separate chieftaincy dispute, in reaching its decision.

Justice Adesanya consequently ordered the Lagos State Governor, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, as well as the ministry, to withdraw the appointment letter, staff of office and official recognition granted to Saliu.

The court also ordered Saliu to surrender the documents and materials connected to his appointment and to cease presenting himself as the traditional ruler of Ise.

It further set aside and nullified the installation and coronation held on August 21.

Advertisement

However, the judge stressed that the latest ruling does not constitute a final determination of who is legally entitled to occupy the Onise of Ise stool.

The orders are to remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit, which will address the wider dispute over the selection and appointment of the traditional ruler.

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria, Serbia Renew Commitment to Stronger Bilateral Relations as Amb Braimah Presents Credentials(Photos)

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Serbia received renewed diplomatic impetus on Monday, September 14, 2026, as His Excellency, Engr. Abasi Ogwime Braimah, presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency, Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia, at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade.

The presentation formally accredited Ambassador Braimah as the Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Serbia, with residence in Budapest, Hungary.

The ceremony represented an important moment in the continuing diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Serbia, whose relations span more than six decades. It also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of both countries to building on their historic ties and translating their longstanding friendship into deeper and more mutually beneficial cooperation.

In conveying the warm fraternal greetings of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to President Vučić, as well as to the Government and people of Serbia, Ambassador Braimah reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation that have characterised relations between the two countries over the years.

He emphasised the importance of expanding existing collaboration across areas of mutual interest, particularly political and diplomatic engagement, trade and investment, economic cooperation, education, culture and other sectors capable of delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.

The Ambassador further expressed his readiness to work closely with the Serbian Government, diplomatic community, private-sector actors and other relevant stakeholders to identify new opportunities for engagement and consolidate existing areas of cooperation.
His diplomatic mandate comes against the backdrop of a changing international environment in which stronger bilateral partnerships, economic diplomacy and people-to-people relations have assumed increasing importance. In this regard, the Nigeria-Serbia relationship presents opportunities for both countries to broaden the scope of their engagement and explore new areas of strategic and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Braimah’s accreditation therefore represents not merely a formal diplomatic requirement, but a renewed opportunity to advance the shared interests of Nigeria and Serbia through sustained dialogue, greater economic interaction and stronger institutional partnerships.
As the two countries look towards the future, the renewed diplomatic engagement is expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of their respective national priorities and create fresh avenues for cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.
The presentation of the Letters of Credence thus marks the beginning of a new phase in Ambassador Braimah’s diplomatic assignment—one anchored on friendship, mutual respect, economic opportunity and a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria-Serbia relations for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News