Senator Ned Nwoko has called on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to develop concrete strategies to prevent desperate Nigerians from embarking on perilous journeys abroad ventures that too often end in tragedy and tarnish the nation’s image.
Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, the increasing number of Nigerians languishing in foreign prisons is largely due to lapses in due diligence by the NIS and Nigerian embassies.
“Many Nigerians are eager to travel abroad in search of greener pastures, but not all have genuine intentions,” Nwoko said. “Some are driven purely by desperation to make money by any means, without clear plans or legitimate opportunities.”
The senator noted that this desperation often leads to tragic outcomes, with many ending up as destitute or incarcerated individuals overseas, thereby damaging Nigeria’s reputation internationally.
Nwoko emphasized that enforcing stricter verification processes for outbound travelers would not infringe on citizens’ freedom of movement but rather safeguard lives and protect national integrity.
“There must be a balance between protecting citizens and upholding individual freedoms,” he stated. “Due diligence ensures that those leaving the country do so for legitimate purposes.”
He further recommended stronger collaboration between Nigerian authorities, host nations, and international organizations to promote safe and lawful migration.
The lawmaker urged the NIS and Nigerian embassies to verify the authenticity of travel documents, job offers, and invitations, and to establish monitoring mechanisms for citizens abroad.
“Embassies must never compromise their duties by engaging in racketeering or facilitating fake travel arrangements,” he warned. “A surveillance system should be put in place to track and support Nigerians abroad based on verified documentation.”
Nwoko stressed that closer ties between embassies and citizens abroad would enhance safety and strengthen Nigeria’s global image.
Meanwhile, NAN reports that the Senate has called on the Federal Government to initiate immediate diplomatic and humanitarian interventions to rescue and repatriate hundreds of Nigerian women and children currently languishing in Libyan prisons.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Aniekan Etim Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom South), who drew attention to the plight of trafficked Nigerians suffering abuse and slavery in Libyan detention centres.
