News
Migration Challenge Worsen in West Africa as Smuggling Networks Adapt
By Gloria Ikibah
Irregular migration across West Africa is expected to remain at persistently high levels for the rest of 2026 despite tougher border controls and increased interception operations.
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration with the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Alkali Jammeh, gave the warning while addressing parliamentarians at the ECOWAS Parliamentary Citizen Engagement on the Dangers of Irregular Migration and Modern Slavery, held in Banjul from 6 to 10 July.
Jammeh said current trends pointed to sustained migration pressure across the region, fuelled by increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks and continued movement through established migration corridors.
According to him, enforcement efforts have done little to slow the pace of illegal migration during the first six months of the year.
“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.
“Irregular migration remained at a high and sustained level during the first half of 2026 despite intensified border enforcement and interception operations by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID),” he said.
He added that operational intelligence showed, “The Gambia continues to function as both a transit and departure country along the Atlantic migration route.”
Jammeh said data collected during the second quarter revealed a sharp rise in the interception of migrants, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from European countries, particularly Germany and Italy; he also warn that criminal syndicates were adapting quickly.
“In the second quarter, a significant increase in migrant interceptions, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from Europe (mainly Germany and Italy) demonstrated that migration pressures remained strong and are becoming increasingly organised.
“Smuggling networks continue to exploit coastal communities, unauthorised border crossings, and regional migration corridors, requiring sustained intelligence-led operations and enhanced regional cooperation,” he said.
He also disclosed that security agencies continue to intercept large groups of migrants, with most coming from neighbouring West African countries.
Jammeh further revealed that a growing number of vulnerable migrants, including Gambians, were being intercepted.
He said migration remained largely male-dominated but observed a gradual increase in female migration, but also raised concerns about the increasing presence of children among migrants, saying it suggested that more families were embarking on dangerous journeys.
“Migration remains predominantly male. Nearly one in five migrants are female. Female migration is becoming more visible in mixed migration flows.
“The presence of children indicates family migration and child protection remains a priority,” he stated.
Providing a breakdown of migrants intercepted, Jammeh said Senegal accounted for the largest share.
“Senegalese nationals form the largest group (842 or 33.7%). The Gambians remain a significant proportion (781 or 31.3%). Guinea (424 or 17.0%) and Mali (383 or 15.3%) continue to contribute to migration flows,” he explained.
“Nearly all migrants originated from ECOWAS Member States,” he said, identifying Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali as the principal countries of origin.
“The implication suggests that migration trend remains predominantly regional,” he added.
Summing up developments during the second quarter, Jammeh painted a worrying picture of the evolving migration landscape.
“Key observations during Quarter 2: Increase in organised group movements. Continued dominance of ECOWAS migrants. Persistent involvement of Gambian nationals. Growing number of women and children. Continued use of irregular migration routes,” he said.
He also identified weak legal frameworks, inadequate patrol and surveillance equipment, limited operational funding, shortages of fuel for border patrols and the complicity of some local communities as major obstacles to tackling migrant smuggling.
Looking ahead, Jammeh warned that the situation could deteriorate further unless governments across the region strengthen cooperation.
“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.
“Smuggling networks are likely to continue exploiting coastal departure areas while adapting their methods to evade law enforcement operations.
“Migration flows from Senegal, Guinea and Mali are expected to remain significant, while returns from North Africa and deportations from Europe are likely to continue increasing.
“Without sustained enforcement, intelligence gathering, community engagement and regional cooperation, migrant smuggling activities may become more organised and difficult to disrupt,” he explained.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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