The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that some desperate Nigerians have approached the police, requesting to be declared wanted to facilitate their applications for asylum abroad, News About Nigeria reports.
This revelation was made by the Spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement shared on his official Twitter handle on Saturday.
According to Hundeyin, he was surprised when someone asked to be declared wanted by the police, specifically for the purpose of supporting an asylum application.
He tweeted; ‘Please, declare me wanted!’ I was stupefied. I blinked and looked at him again. ‘What did you say,’ I asked. ‘Please, I want you to declare me wanted,’ he repeated.”
Curious about the motive behind such a request, Hundeyin asked why he wanted to be declared wanted.
The person explained, “Actually, I am applying for asylum at xyz Embassy. During the interview, I told them that I am being persecuted to the point of being declared wanted by the Police. They now asked for evidence of the ‘wanted’ declaration. I can easily do the artwork, but I know they will come and verify. That is why I want it from the source.”
This revelation comes amid reports from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in December 2023, stating that a significant number of Nigerians, around 260,000, sought assistance from the IOM to leave the country in the same year.
The UK was identified as the primary destination for 80% of these people, with other destinations including the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European countries.
The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck, emphasised the importance of addressing migration through regular channels, and discussions were underway with countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, France, and others to explore such pathways for qualified Nigerians.
