Outrage as immigration says Nigerians relocating could ‘end up in modern slavery’

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been on the receiving end of Twitter backlash over a post asking Nigerians to “think deeply” before accepting “bogus” offers of a better life abroad.

On Saturday, the agency shared a post containing a short message to Nigerians via its Twitter handle.

“Hey Guys, you may need to think deeply over that bogus offer of a better life abroad. You may end up in modern day slavery. Not all that glitters is gold,” the message read.

The move by the agency to raise the alarm over immigration fraud, especially human trafficking, soon become a source of condemnation.

Attention please 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/FkhVZuijXD

— Nigeria Immigration Service (@nigimmigration) April 3, 2021

Most Twitter users who commented on the post lambasted the agency, and also lamented the unavailability of passport booklets.

In recent weeks, Many Nigerians have not been able to collect their passport booklets, owing to scarcity — but on Wednesday, Muhammad Babandede, comptroller-general of NIS, said they are now available in centres across the country and overseas.

Hence, when the Twitter post was shared on Saturday, many took out their frustration on the agency.

Some users were not bothered by the message but by the quality of the flyer posted by the agency.

They wondered why the agency could not engage the services of a professional graphic designer.

Here are some reactions.

Abegi, is it your modern slavery abi glitters and gold? Free the booklets make we comot. Enough hoarding already.

— Gbémilékè 爱 🐘 (@RealGbemileke) April 3, 2021

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Every sector in Nigeria dey compete on who shameless pass.

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— Mhithi (@Mhithii) April 3, 2021

Just say una no get booklet.

— Pan African Bini Boy. (@NosaAguebor) April 3, 2021

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Pay your workers, first then you can lecture us about modern slavery.

— A Field Marshal of the Han Dynasty⚡️ (@General_Oluchi) April 3, 2021

https://twitter.com/Jenke_baby/status/1378296817331404803?s=19

You cant even hire a N20k graphic designer… Fuck your message. https://t.co/rQaqxJOkaa

— Superficial 📸 ✨ (@thelagosguyy) April 3, 2021

https://twitter.com/downquarkup/status/1378356168947556361?s=19

For the second time can you guys just stop acting like graphic design tools are hard to learn. Did this in Canva in less than 5 minutes. 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️. https://t.co/7GXgV5nZuC pic.twitter.com/AC2FVPJRRA

— Design Chief Priest (@dnaijatechguy) April 3, 2021

What is it with these guys are shitty graphics? https://t.co/bnJhZKg1az

— Agbara Nwanyi (@0hammiri) April 3, 2021

Lol.
The message not only sucks, the graphics was terribly designed.
Shame 😝😝😝 https://t.co/7u2P2wcjU8

— Akíntúndé Babátúndé (@olorunwababs) April 3, 2021

Your graphics department needs new staffs cos what the fuck is this 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/OzwAwRZE1h

— Design Queen 👩‍💻❤️✨ (@TheRuqayyah) April 3, 2021

Of late, the social media activities of government agencies and officials have come under intense scrutiny.

Last week, the Joint Administration Examination Board (JAMB) used WhatsApp screenshots to make an announcement, a development that elicited criticisms from many Nigerians on Twitter.