The United Nations Migration Agency, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said more than 1,000 Nigerians have fallen victim to scams involving foreign job opportunities in the United Kingdom.
This was revealed as the organisation advised Nigerians to seek proper information before embarking on any migration.
IOM’s Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday, December 18, 2023, in Abuja.
“There are some of them who lost over $10,000 only to be given fake employment letters, which allowed them to get visas.
They get there, present the letters, and the organisations tell them that the letters did not emanate from the organisations. Over a thousand people are affected,” Boeck said.
Boeck added that IOM is working with partners to repatriate thousands of people, including Nigerians, from Tunisia, which has recently placed a ban on migration.
“In Kano, people are displaced within and there are others who have migrated, which is why our offices in Libya and Niger have more migrants originating from Kano.
In 2023, IOM identified and supported 682 victims of trafficking, with a dedicated focus on vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied and separated children.
Collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria, IOM facilitated the return of 4,431 Nigerians and supported their reintegration. A total of 2,853 individuals received reintegration assistance, engaging in socio-economic opportunities of their choice.
IOM’s Migration Health efforts in 2023, including over 260,000 Pre-Departure Medical Health Assessments diagnosing and referring 166 migrants with TB, administering 15,000 vaccine doses, and renovating three public hospitals, exemplified the organization’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare,” he stated.
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