Nigeria 'blocks IS recruitment'

About 24,000 people were stopped from leaving Nigeria in the 15 months to March because of suspicion they could become involved in militant Islamism, prostitution or slavery, the country's immigration agency has said.

Many of them were suspected to be heading to join militant groups such as Islamic State (IS), the agency added.

Others tried to reach "greener pastures" to escape poverty, it said.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous state, and has high levels of poverty.

It has also been hit by a six-year insurgency waged by militant Islamist group Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to IS in March.

The agency said Nigeria was a "catchment area for recruiters because of the high number of jobless people" in the West African state.

It had therefore intensified immigration checks to bar young Nigerians with "doubtful intentions" from leaving the country.

"The terrorist group has a syndicate that arranges travel documents, visas, ticket and money for their recruits," it added, in a statement.

BBC