IOM's Dimanche Sharon Warns Against Irregular Migration

Dimanche Sharon, the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, cautions Nigerians against risking their lives in pursuit of better opportunities abroad through dangerous and irregular migration routes. She emphasizes that behind the allure of success often shared on social media lie grim realities of exploitation, trafficking, and even death.

Many individuals embark on these perilous journeys with hopes of decent work and improved livelihoods, only to face human trafficking, violence, and family separation. Sharon notes that the human cost of irregular migration includes not only lives lost but also interrupted dreams and significant emotional distress for families left behind.

She recounts stories of young men deceived into exploitation, highlighting the difficulties faced by authorities in identifying victims after raids. Sharon asserts that migration should be safe, orderly, and regular, advocating for the protection of migrants' dignity and rights.