Kano receives returned migrants almost weekly — AHIP

Kano State is experiencing a high volume of returned migrants, prompting concerns about irregular migration and human trafficking. Halima Kasim Usman, Project Manager of the Adolescent Health and Information Project (AHIP) ROOTS Programme, highlighted that Kano serves as a crucial transit and return point for individuals traveling to and from other African nations.

"Kano is actually a migration route. People pass through Kano to go to all these neighbouring African countries, and almost every week these migrants are returned to Kano," Usman stated. She emphasized that not all returnees are from Kano, with some being brought to the state due to its significance as a migration hub. This situation necessitates strengthened efforts from government agencies, traditional institutions, civil society, and development partners to promote safe and legal migration.

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Kano is actually a migration route. People pass through Kano to go to all these neighbouring African countries, and almost every week these migrants are returned to Kano.

The ROOTS programme, a one-year initiative, aims to support returning migrants, vulnerable women, young people, female informal cross-border traders, and smallholder women farmers. Over 200 returning migrants have received training in agribusiness, and more than 200 smallholder women farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture. Additionally, beneficiaries are educated in financial literacy and business management to foster sustainable enterprises.

Umar Muhammad of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Kano Zonal Command warned about the severe risks of irregular migration, particularly human trafficking. NAPTIP conducts awareness campaigns through various media to inform the public about these dangers. Muhammad noted that many youths are deceived by traffickers with false promises of jobs and better lives, leading to exploitation, forced labor in countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Algeria, and some European nations.

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They don’t know that the traffickers are deceiving them. At the end of the day, they become victims of human trafficking.