Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, has urged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian embassies to enforce stricter background checks on citizens intending to travel abroad.
He warned that lax oversight contributes to rising cases of Nigerians being imprisoned or exploited overseas, ultimately tarnishing the nation’s image.
In an interview in Abuja with the News Agency of Nigeria, Nwoko criticized the current system for allowing individuals to leave the country without proper scrutiny.
He said many who embark on these journeys lack genuine intentions, resulting in criminal involvement or becoming stranded and destitute abroad.
According to Nwoko, this growing trend not only undermines national dignity but also increases the burden on foreign governments and international aid systems.
He maintained that the issue is not about infringing on personal freedom but ensuring responsible migration through legal and ethical channels. He emphasized the need for due diligence in verifying travel purposes, including confirming job offers, identifying hosts, and authenticating documents.
He also warned against the complicity of some embassy officials, accusing them of engaging in racketeering and aiding unqualified individuals to travel under false pretenses.
Nwoko called for Nigerian missions abroad to maintain close, proactive engagement with citizens who have legitimate status, mirroring practices in more developed countries.
In a related development, the Senate has called on the Federal Government to initiate urgent diplomatic and humanitarian measures to secure the release of hundreds of Nigerian women and children being held in Libyan detention centers under conditions marked by trafficking and abuse.
This appeal followed a motion presented by Senator Aniekan Etim Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom South), who highlighted the severe plight of Nigerian detainees in Libya.
NAN
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