Immigration Partners NGO to Raise Awareness on Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking in Seme

Immigration Partners NGO to Raise Awareness on Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking in Seme

The Semé Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Hearts and Hands Humanitarian Foundation (3HF), organized a community sensitization campaign in Seme, Lagos State, on Saturday to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.

The awareness event saw NIS personnel and members of 3HF conducting a street-to-street campaign, using public address systems to engage local communities. The campaign extended beyond the border post to reach various neighborhoods in Seme, where participants interacted, played, and danced with residents to drive home their message.

Addressing the community, Comptroller Abdullahi Adamu, Controller of the Seme Area Command, urged residents to ensure they had proper documentation before traveling. He stressed the importance of the campaign in addressing human trafficking, particularly child trafficking and labor. “The Nigerian Child Labour Act protects children from exploitation. We are here to tell you to say no to human trafficking and child labor,” he stated.

John Kedang, Consultant Manager of 3HF, highlighted Seme’s vulnerability as a transit community and emphasized the foundation’s mission to educate residents on the dangers of child trafficking and exploitation. “Transit communities like Seme are at high risk, and we’re here to raise awareness of this issue,” Kedang said.

Favour Udeh, Communications Officer at 3HF, pointed to poverty as a driving factor behind child exploitation. She explained that traffickers often deceive families by promising education for their children. The collaboration with the NIS aims to create awareness and prevent such exploitation.

Deputy Comptroller Olu Ogar, Human Resources Manager at Semé Command, also addressed residents on the recent increase in Nigerian passport fees, explaining that the rise was due to improved quality and faster processing times. He assured the public that passport applications are now processed within a week.