More Edo people seeking asylum in Belgium – Embassy DG
The Director General, Immigration Office, Belgium Embassy, Freddy Roosemont, has disclosed that about 30 per cent of Nigerian migrants seeking asylum in the country were from Edo State.
Roosemont, who stated this at a talk organised by the Immigration Office of the Kingdom of Belgium in collaboration with Pathfinder Justice Initiative in Benin, said that the issue of asylum seekers from Nigeria was worrisome.
Roosemont said, “We have noticed that more and more Nigerians are seeking asylum in Belguim. In 2022, about 370 Nigerians sought for asylum while in 2023, about 360 also requested.
He said, “Thirty per cent are from Edo, 20 per cent from Lagos, while the remaining 50 per cent are from other states in Nigeria. Some have come to Belgium by legal means while others came through the Mediterranean Sea.
“Once in Belgium, they apply for asylum, but this makes little sense. Asylum is determined on the basis of the Geneva Convention and economic motives are not included.”
He said that the high rate of people from Edo involved in human trafficking and seeking asylum in Belgium necessitated the awareness creation on safe migration in the state.
He noted that the employment market in the country was saturated, urging Nigerians not to fall victims to human traffickers all in the name of helping them to get jobs in Belgium.
He added that the country was in support of legal migration, noting that about 5,000 Nigerians were living legally in the country.
Executive Director, PJI, Ruth Benson-Idahosa, solicited support from non-governmental organisations on more awareness creation about safe migration initiative.
She added, “The “S.T.A.A.Y: Safe Travelling Awareness for At-risk Youth is an initiative launched by the Belgium Ministry of Interior in partnership with PJI to provide safe travel awareness for Nigerian youths.
“People have to understand the reasons they need to stay in Nigeria. The initiative is also about telling Nigerians about skills and jobs opportunities in the country and the different organisations offering those opportunities.”
