The Federal Government has called for internationally harmonized laws to combat cyber-enabled organized immigration crimes.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this appeal during an interview on Tuesday in London. He stated that he raised the issue while addressing global leaders at the Border Security Summit on tackling organized immigration crimes.
The summit, hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, provided a platform for discussions on global border security challenges.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for standardized legal frameworks, including common definitions and penalties for online human trafficking and migrant-related crimes. He also advocated for strengthened agreements to target cyber-criminals operating across multiple jurisdictions and laws to dismantle financial structures that fuel illegal migration.
“Nigeria calls for real-time content moderation to detect and remove recruiting advertisements for human smuggling and trafficking,” he said.
He further highlighted the importance of robust enforcement mechanisms, stating:
“Stronger reporting mechanisms for law enforcement to assess critical data on suspicious accounts.”
“AI-driven early warning systems to flag illicit migration-related content before it spreads.”
The minister stressed the need for technology companies to enforce stricter regulations, preventing their platforms from being exploited for human trafficking and illegal migration.
“Big tech companies must be more accountable for the misuse of their platforms by criminal gangs.”
“Organized criminal networks are weaponizing digital platforms to facilitate irregular migration, human trafficking, and other forms of transnational crime.”
According to Tunji-Ojo, the digital age has enabled criminal organizations to expand their reach, target vulnerable populations, and evade law enforcement, making international cooperation essential.
“Technology has enabled these groups to expand their reach, target vulnerable populations, and evade law enforcement agencies, hence the need for international organizations to prioritize digital intelligence sharing,” he said.
He noted that no country is immune to the threats posed by online criminal recruitment, as the borderless nature of digital crimes demands a coordinated global response.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, he added, Nigeria is taking decisive steps to curb online criminal activities that contribute to migration-related crimes.
“Nigeria recognizes the growing interconnection between survivor-included crime and global migration threats, requiring a proactive, intelligence-driven, and collaborative approach.”
Tunji-Ojo also outlined measures being implemented by Nigerian security agencies to combat digital recruitment networks.
“Security agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Police Force, are integrating advanced cyber tools to detect, disrupt, and dismantle digital recruitment networks.”
“The Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act, alongside a Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Registration Act, provides a strong legal foundation to prosecute those exploiting digital platforms for illicit migration schemes.”
He further revealed that Nigeria is investing in cyber-forensic training for immigration and security agencies to enhance their ability to track, investigate, and neutralize digital recruitment operations.
“We are expanding public awareness campaigns to educate citizens, especially young people, on the dangers of online recruitment into irregular migration and trafficking.”
“Collaboration with community leaders, religious institutions, and civil society will enhance grassroots efforts in countering digital exploitation.”
Tunji-Ojo concluded by urging global governments to commit to a unified digital accountability framework, ensuring that criminal syndicates do not exploit gaps in online governance.
“Government must commit to a global framework for digital accountability, ensuring that criminal syndicates do not exploit the gaps in online governance,” he said.
