Mapping Smuggling Routes And Migration Flows Across Illela And Jibiya Borders: A Geographical Perspective

Abstract

This study provides a geographical analysis of smuggling routes and irregular migration flows across the porous Nigeria–Niger borderlands of Illela (Sokoto State) and Jibiya (Katsina State). Using a mixed-methods approach that combined structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and geospatial mapping through GPS and GIS, the research identified and mapped 20 illegal routes 9 in Illela and 11 in Jibiya. Findings reveal that these routes are not random but represent adaptive systems shaped by geographical, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Seasonal variation was observed, with smuggling and migration peaking during the dry season but persisting at moderate levels during the rainy season, demonstrating the resilience of cross-border networks. The study highlights geography as a critical driver of borderland dynamics, with porous borders, flat terrain, weak surveillance, and strong ethnic ties directly facilitating illegal flows. While smuggling sustains livelihoods through increased petty trade and informal economic opportunities, it simultaneously undermines formal trade, erodes government revenue, and fuels insecurity. Comparative analysis demonstrates strong alignment with earlier works (Yusuf & Bala, 2020; Aderanti, 2019; Usman, 2021; IOM, 2022) but contributes new insights by quantifying geographical determinants, demonstrating rainy-season persistence, and integrating community perspectives with geospatial evidence. The study concludes that addressing smuggling and irregular migration requires more than physical border enforcement. It recommends enhanced technological surveillance, youth empowerment, and bilateral cooperation with Niger, as well as institutionalized geospatial intelligence and grassroots sensitization. By emphasizing the spatial dimensions of borderland dynamics, the research underscores the need for holistic, geography-informed interventions to ensure security, foster legal trade, and improve livelihoods in Nigeria’s northern frontier.