Over 96,000 Africans arrive in Italy by sea yearly, says report

ONE family member in 10 households in Edo State has undertaken the extremely risky journey by road or sea in search of greener pastures.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) disclosed this in a recent report.

According to the report, no fewer than 153,000 people arrived by sea to Italy, with 96, 000 being from Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, The Gambia, Mali and Nigeria, while Nigeria accounted for over 22,000.

In a recent video released by

App, it provided details of how young people in the country are illegally trafficked across the Sahara and Mediterranean Sea in their quest for a better life in Europe.

Last year, the Assistant Comptroller General in charge of training, man- power and development at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Maroof Giwa, said about 4,900 Nigerians died in the Mediterranean Sea and the rest died while going through the desert in their bid to cross to Europe.

The video uncovered the key actors who facilitate the illegal migration, as well as the challenges involved in undertaking such a deadly journey.

It also highlighted the socio-economic and political factors that make it imperative for young people in Nigeria to insist on embarking on the fatal voyage despite knowing the risks involved.

Two intending migrants who were interviewed by the Bounce News crew on the condition of anonymity made staggering revelations about why young people would dare to risk their lives for a future that was uncertain.

James (not his real name) disclosed that he was motivated to travel to Europe by road due to the economic hardship in the country.

“This life good or bad is 5050. Despite the risk, I still prefer living abroad than Nigeria where nobody cares, nobody knows how you live. I am an orphan, no father, only a mother.

“I don’t even need one million naira from you. Just give me the money that will take me from here to Libya and to cross the sea to Italy. That will be okay for me not one