The Switzerland Embassy in Nigeria has said that 90 per cent of Nigerian illegal immigrants in Switzerland voluntarily returned to Nigeria this year.
?It said they returned under the Swiss Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme, which is partnership with the Federal Government.
The 19 edition of the Swiss Gazette obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja stated that the retunnes were paid N961,000 each.
It also stated that in 2011, 80 per cent of such illegal immigrants benefited from the programme, while in 2010, a total of 1,969 Nigerian citizens asked for asylum in that country accounting for 13 per cent of all requests.
The document also stated that under its Legal Defence Assistance Project, the Embassy carried out a programme tagged: “Improving handling of domestic violence’’ in six police stations in Lagos State.
It stated that nearly 300 police officers were trained on the correct handling of cases of domestic violence.
“More than 10,000 memory cards with guidelines on how to report, record, file, and handle cases of domestic violence were printed and distributed to police officers.'' the document further stated that 3,000 domestic violence tool kits/manuals were designed and printed.
?According to the gazette, the aim of the project was to increase awareness on domestic violence and gender rights issues among police officers, as well as increase cases of domestic violence being recorded and filed, so as to provide redress for the victims.
?The embassy also supported a Community Research and Development Centre in Benin City in Edo to promote Environmental Sustainability through the use of central solar charging stations as clean energy source for lighting.
?“The Swiss Government grant enabled the centre to construct a solar power (solar panels) based charging station and to provide 40 households with Solar Home Lighting Kits,'' it stated.
Other cooperation projecta include training of 180 inmates in seven prisons across the country, including the FCT.
The documented added that 24 of the inmates volunteered to attend an additional “on-campus style” course in Abuja after their release.
?It also stated that since 2010, the Swiss Government had been supporting ECOWAS’ efforts to develop the Civilian Component of its Standby Force (ESF).
Others included Seminar on Counter Financing of Terrorism for 15 ECOWAS member states, particularly the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism in conformity with international law.