The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advised Nigerians stranded in the United Arab Emirates to desist from media blackmail.
She explained that the Federal Government had swung into
action in ensuring stranded Nigerians in the UAE were repatriated back to the
country safely.
According to her, resorting to media blackmail will make an
already bad case worse
“Despite several warnings by the Federal Government of
Nigeria through its relevant agencies on consequences of illegal migration to
the UAE and other countries, it was regrettable that some Nigerians still found
themselves as victims of this irregular act,” a statement signed by the
agency’s spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, quoted her as saying.
The statement added, “In line with its citizens diplomacy,
the Federal Government approved the evacuation of over 300 Nigerians stranded
in the UAE. Regrettably, many of those affected have not been totally
cooperative as they refused to follow the laid down procedures.
“Investigations also
revealed that over 100 Nigerians who had served various jail sentences (ranging
from drugs to credit card frauds, robberies etc.) suddenly landed at the
holding centres, demanding of the Nigerian consulate in Dubai to “immediately
“bring them back. Their voices have been the loudest.
“Dabiri-Erewa said rather than complying with the directives
of the Nigerian consulate in Dubai, some Nigerians were busy pursuing a media
blackmail of the Federal Government as well as the UAE government. This media
blackmail, she said, will make an already bad case, worse, noting that rules on
such cases would not be circumvented.
“Recalling several warnings to Nigerians, particularly on
the zero tolerance of the UAE for the consequences of flouting their rules, she
added that the allegation that Nigerians were abandoned in Dubai is completely
untrue and misleading as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian
Mission have been working assiduously with the UAE authorities to assist over
300 Nigerians stranded in the country for various reasons, ranging from
overstay, lost passports, lack of documentation especially in the case of
infants, to pending cases with the Emirati Police.
“She advised Nigerians so affected to comply with the laid
down rules and regulations as stipulated by the UAE and the Nigeria Consulate
in Dubai, and await further communication from officials of the mission who
have constantly visited them at the holding centre.”
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