In a diplomatic exchange, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, implored the German government to reconsider its decision to deport approximately 12,000 illegal migrants to Nigeria......READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Expressing concern, Akpabio emphasized that such an action could exacerbate the prevailing security challenges in the country.
According to a report by Vanguard on Thursday, February 1, 2024, the plea was made during a courtesy visit to the Senate President by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ambassador Gunther highlighted the economic ties between Nigeria and Germany, underlining the need for collaboration between the two nations for mutual benefit.
“Nigeria is Germany’s second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa,” remarked the German envoy. She stressed the Nigeria and Germany, as major players in their respective continents, working together in the interest of their peoples.
In response, Akpabio acknowledged the economic and diplomatic ties but drew attention to Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with insecurity. He urged Germany to join forces with Nigeria in addressing security and power challenges, ultimately contributing to the socio-political development of the nation.
The Senate President called on Ambassador Gunther to assist Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, in its fight against insecurity and efforts to strengthen the economy.
Akpabio asserted, “We require assistance from Germany in the area of security because when we had the Boko Haram issues in the North East, it might not have escalated to the level it did if we had the support of major players like Germany and others.”
Akpabio further implored Germany to reconsider its decision to deport 12,000 illegal migrants of Nigerian origin, expressing concerns about potential security implications.
He elaborated on the challenges of identifying genuine Nigerians among the deportees, citing the current political situation in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where individuals might falsely claim Nigerian nationality to avoid returning to crisis-prone regions.
“Dumping 12,000 illegal immigrants in Nigeria would lead to the escalation of insecurity in the country,” Akpabio warned. He emphasized the necessity for the German government to collaborate with Nigerian immigration officers to assess the true nationality of those set for deportation…CONTINUE READING>>
