….some lost over $10,000 to fake employment syndicate
Editor
The United Nations Migration Agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM), has raised alarm of syndicates offering fake employment letters in United Kingdom.
It disclosed that over 1000 Nigerians are stranded while there are some who paid over $10,000 only to be given fake employment letters, which allowed them to get visa only.
IOM’s Chief of Mission, Mr Laurent De Boeck, disclosed this at a news conference Monday.December 18 in Abuja.
He said such Nigerians.are stranded in the UK because some of them lack the means to come back, while others are ashamed of coming back to their families.
De Boeck also added that IOM was working with partners to repatriate thousands of persons, including Nigerians, from Tunisia, which has recently placed a ban on migration.
He said the IOM is working extensively with Italy to develop regular pathways for qualified Nigerians and that it would also engage other countries like Spain, Belgium, France, and others.
On displacements, De Boeck said there has been about a 30 percent annual increase for the past five years in many states of the North West.
Noting that Zamfara remained the most impacted in this regard, he said the incident of banditry and other crimes were fueling the increase.
“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”, he stated.
He said that in 2023, IOM played a crucial role in addressing the shelter needs of 71,666 individuals affected by conflicts and environmental hazards.”Emergency, transitional, and durable housing solutions, including the construction of shelters, the distribution of shelter kits, and the innovative construction of 270 mudbrick shelters, were implemented.
Additionally, 37,277 individuals benefited from NFI interventions, ensuring access to personal and household items through hybrid, in-kind, and cash-based approaches.”Initiatives, such as safe access to fuel and energy, vocational skills training for youth, the construction of markets, and climate-smart agricultural training, reached thousands of households, significantly contributing to long-term resilience and community empowerment.
“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 (PDMHAs), 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.
