Abuja - Every year, many young Nigerian migrants embark on treacherous journeys as they leave their country searching for a better future abroad. Migrants travelling via irregular routes face risks such as trafficking in persons (TiP), extortion, physical abuse, torture, forced labour, rape and even death. Nigeria’s border with Niger and the Republic of Benin have been major gateways for traffickers, smugglers and migrants taking on irregular routes in search of greener pastures.   

As part of efforts to curb the issues of smuggling of migrants and irregular migration through land borders, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) handed over 15 mobile Border Management Information System (BMIS) devices to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kano, on 4 February 2022. These devices will be used for border patrol at the unmanned land borders for registration of migrants at the points of entry in Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara States.  

Twelve out of fourteen ground crossing points and four of six State Commands where Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) is installed, are located in the Northern border that Nigeria shares with Niger in Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, and Jigawa States. The Border Management Information System (BMIS) plays a crucial role in enabling and securing cross-border movements while preventing irregular migration and transnational crime. 

The provision of these devices aims to further improve border security and management to facilitate safe and orderly migration and enhance the capacity of Nigeria border officials to better manage territorial borders.   

The Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service represented by the Comptroller of Immigration Service Mr. Muazu Abdulrazak, NIS Kano State Command expressed his profound appreciation of the service  for IOM’s contribution to border security and for equipping the service with MIDAS infrastructure. “The mobile MIDAS kits will boost national security as the unmanned porous entry points will be patrolled and travellers using those routes will be documented,” he said.    

Prior to the handover, IOM Nigeria in coordination with the NIS organised a five-day training in Kano from 31 January to 4 February 2022, for 15 NIS ICT officers from the Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara State Commands as well as the NIS Headquarters, on the use and installation of the mobile MIDAS devices.  

To date, MIDAS has been installed at 29 locations; 14 land border crossings, four seaports, eight State NIS Commands, the NIS Headquarters, and the country’s five international airports. 

This activity is funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and implemented within the framework of the project “Enhancing cross-border cooperation on border management and counter-trafficking between Niger and Nigeria” (UK CATS). 

For more information, please contact: 

Mariam Owoeye at IOM Nigeria, Email: mowoeye@iom.int  OR IOMNIGERIA@iom.int