Nigeria has third highest number of migrants crossing Mediterranean – Sen. Sani

Senator Shehu Sani says Nigeria ranks third among countries with the highest number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean sea to Europe.
Sani disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday when the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Sani said: “It is of concern that Nigeria ranks third as one country by which young men and women do try to cross the Sahara to the Mediterranean.
“The consequences of our young men and women moving away from Nigeria through the Sahara and trying to get to Europe is that three things happen.
“It’s that they either end up in the hands of terrorists in Libya or many of them end up as drug traffickers or they become sex slaves when they cross over to Europe.”
Sani said it was in reaction to the high rate of migration that he came up with the “Pan Africa Initiative against Irregular Migration” and another on “The Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East”.
According to him, the programme is aimed at stemming the tide of migration from Nigeria to Europe.
He said: “It also aims at bringing the parliament within the African continent to make this as a major agenda which we will pursue to the last.
“It is unfortunate that thousands of young men and women from Africa migrate from Africa to Europe risking their lives.
“It is an issue of concern that our young men and women that ought to remain at home and live a productive life are being deceived to embark on an elusive journey from sub-Saharan Africa through Libya.”
The lawmaker urged the government to lead the drive in bringing the issue of migration to global spotlight.
Sani said: “Nigeria being a very important and leading country in the continent must lead the drive to bring this issue to an end.”
He urged the EU to rescue and empower the migrants to enable them to serve their country and the continent in general.
Responding, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, said it was sad to see young people losing their lives by embarking on the journey through the desert.