- Belgian Immigration Director reveals that 30% of Nigerian asylum seekers in Belgium are from Edo state, citing human trafficking as a factor
- Around 370 Nigerians sought asylum in 2022, and 360 in 2023; emphasis on the need for awareness about safe migration
In a revelation by Mr. Freddy Roosemont, the Directorate General of the Immigration Office in Belgium, approximately 30% of Nigerian asylum seekers in the country come from Edo state. This unsettling information was disclosed during an event organized by the Immigration Office of the Kingdom of Belgium in collaboration with the Pathfinder Justice Initiative (PJI) in Benin, the capital of Edo, on Wednesday.
Expressing worry over the issue of asylum-seeking from Nigerians, Roosemont outlined the distribution, stating, “30% of Nigerian asylum seekers are from Edo, 20% from Lagos, and the remaining 50% from other states in Nigeria. In 2022, about 370 Nigerians sought asylum, and in 2023, about 360 also requested asylum.”
Roosemont shed light on the diverse routes taken by asylum seekers to reach Belgium, including legal means and the perilous journey through the Mediterranean Sea. He attributed the high number of Edo residents seeking asylum to the prevalence of human trafficking, particularly emphasizing the need for awareness about safe migration in the state.
Highlighting the saturated job market in Belgium, Roosemont cautioned Nigerians against falling victim to human trafficking promises in pursuit of employment opportunities. He emphasized that around 5,000 Nigerians were legally residing in Belgium, advocating for support of legal migration.
The Executive Director of PJI, Ruth Benson-Idahisa, called for the collaboration of Non-Governmental Organizations in raising awareness about safe migration initiatives, acknowledging the pressing need for collective efforts in addressing this complex issue.