IOM ranks Edo third in irregular migration returnees

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Nigeria, in its recent ranking chart, rated Edo State third among states with irregular migration returnees in the country.

According to the IOM, while Lagos and Kano States came first and second, respectively, Edo State, which previously topped the list, dropped to third position due to increased awareness campaigns by the state on the dangers of irregular migration.

Speaking in Benin City, the state capital, Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, noted at an interactive session with journalists that the enhanced awareness campaigns by IOM and its partners in Edo State had yielded positive results, as reflected by the drop in rankings.

According to the Chief of Mission, as of 2017, Edo State led the list of irregular migration returnees. With IOM’s assistance, over 60,000 migrants have returned to Nigeria, with more than 9,000 of them from Edo State.

“Edo was number one in the returnees record, but as we speak, the state has dropped to number three. This can be attributed to the increase in awareness campaigns by IOM and its partners,” she said.

“Since 2017, over 9,000 migrants from Edo have been supported to return home safely, and more than 8,000 have received reintegration support to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. We have also assisted over 1,100 victims of trafficking, and more than 5,000 people have received psychosocial support to help them recover from trauma,” Dimanche added.

On Nigeria at large, the IOM Chief of Mission said, “More than 60,300 migrants have returned with IOM’s assistance since 2017, many of them survivors of exploitation and abuse along dangerous migration routes.”

Dimanche emphasised that while these figures show progress, IOM Nigeria remains committed to saving lives during crises.

She further lamented that Nigeria hosts over three million internally displaced persons and called for collaboration among governments, communities, international organisations, donors, and the private sector to save lives.

While commending the leadership of the Edo State government and the energy and resilience of young people, she highlighted funding as one of the major limitations to IOM Nigeria in carrying out its core mandate.