These apprehended individuals were linked to the trafficking of 522 victims, who have since been transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The disclosure was made by Caroline Wuraola-Adepoju, the Comptroller General of Immigration, during a forum in Abuja. This forum marked the beginning of a series of events leading up to the observance of World Migrants Day on December 18.
Wuraola-Adepoju underscored the NIS's dedication to tackling migrant smuggling through a holistic strategy that encompasses prevention, enforcement, and international collaboration.
She accentuated the significance of preventive measures in addressing the underlying causes of migrant smuggling, underlining the necessity for public consciousness about the dangers associated with irregular migration.
"Enforcement is equally important in disrupting the activities of migrant smugglers and holding them accountable for their criminal actions." Wuraola-Adepoju declared.
She provided a statistical overview of the year, revealing that 12 suspected migrant smugglers had been detained, 208 instances of migrant smuggling had been repatriated or reunited, and 522 suspected traffickers/victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) had been handed over to NAPTIP.
The NIS has put in place a variety of measures to bolster border security, including the deployment of biometric identification systems, surveillance cameras at strategic borders, and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) to deter migrant smuggling.
The Service is actively participating in cooperative efforts with regional and international partners to exchange information, intelligence, and best practices in the fight against this cross-border crime.
The inaugural ceremony of World Migrants Day is slated for Thursday, December 14, with subsequent activities, including presentations, medical outreach, and corporate social responsibility events, taking place in various locations.
In a related development, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has acknowledged the Director-General of NAPTIP, culminating in her appointment to the UNODC Board of Trustees.