Garowe, Puntland – The Deputy President of Puntland, Ilyaas Osman Lugatoor, has delivered a strong caution to young Somalis regarding the escalating dangers of irregular migration, announcing that the region will implement tougher passport screening to curb human trafficking.
Speaking to recent university graduates, Lugatoor noted that human trafficking groups have ramped up their recruitment of youth, driving many into hazardous travels that strand some overseas and claim others at sea.
He emphasized that shielding young people from these threats is now a primary goal for his leadership.
Lugatoor announced that the government will demand that anyone under 40 seeking a passport provide a reason for their trip and show they are not being drawn into trafficking paths.
“Any person under the age of 40 applying for a passport must explain the reason for their application. If they are travelling abroad, we need to understand the purpose of their journey,” he said.
The deputy president’s remarks underscore rising alarms about more young Somalis risking illegal voyages to Europe and the Middle East, where many fall prey to smugglers or end up stuck in foreign lands without assistance.
Authorities state the enhanced restrictions intend to dismantle trafficking syndicates while steering youth toward secure, lawful routes and deterring choices fueled by misleading offers of prosperity.
