1,000 Nigerians languish in Thai jails as 200k more fled abroad in 2016 - FG

1,000 Nigerians languish in Thai jails as 200k more fled abroad in 2016 - FG

- The Nigerian government has disclosed that 200,346 Nigerians fled the country in 2016; with over 30,000 of them arriving Europe by sea

- This comes on the heels of reports that over 1,000 Nigerians are currently languishing in various Thai jails

- According to an official, in their quest for greener pastures, Nigerian youths continue to leave the country in droves for unknown destinations

The federal government has disclosed that in 2016, precisely 200,346 Nigerians fled the country, and were granted refugee status in neighbouring countries, Punch reports.

Legit.ng gathers that the development was made public by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), on Thursday, October 19.

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Speaking at a consultative forum on Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, in Lagos, Sadiya Farouq, the federal commissioner of the NCFRMI disclosed that out of the 200,346 Nigerians who fled abroad, 36,000 of them arrived in Europe via the sea.

She stated: “Nigerian youths continue to leave the country in droves for destinations unknown in their quest for greener pastures.

“While some fortunate ones have relocated abroad, some unfortunate ones die on the journey, with many others trapped in transit."

Enira Krdzalic, the chief of mission of the International Organisation for Migration who also spoke at the event, disclosed that according to statistics, many Nigerian women were being trafficked in Italy.

She stated: “The number of women arriving in Italy increased from 433 in 2013 to 11, 009 in 2016, with a huge number of unaccompanied children.”

This comes on the heels of reports that over 1,000 Nigerians are currently languishing in various Thai jails.

Speaking about the unfortunate situation, Nuhu Bamali, Nigeria’s ambassador to Thailand, said: “Over 1,000 Nigerians are currently in jail in Thailand. We need to encourage young Nigerians leaving the country to do so through proper channels."

Bamali made his comments at the Africa Gems and Jewellery Exhibition and Seminar which took place in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Wednesday, October 18.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. assistant secretary for African affairs, said that about 100,000 Nigerians are currently living outside Nigeria as refugees.

Thomas-Linda said that Boko Haram attacks have also forced more than one million Nigerians from their homes as internally dispersed persons (IDPs).

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Source: Legit.ng

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