The Federal Government has responded to viral videos showing Nigerians stranded or detained in foreign countries, pleading for help with evacuation and transportation back to Nigeria. These individuals are reportedly facing hardships due to irregular migration, violations of consular regulations, or involvement in criminal activities.
One alarming case involves young Nigerian women detained in Bamako, Mali, under harsh conditions. They are calling for government intervention to bring them back home. This situation echoes past incidents, like the evacuation of stranded Nigerians in Libya, where the government had warned against illegal migration and human trafficking.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) leads a Multi-Agency Task Force addressing these issues, including key agencies like the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The government urges caution against spreading undated or misleading videos but reassures that efforts to evacuate stranded citizens are ongoing.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM Director of Media and Public Relations, emphasized that while the government remains committed to safeguarding Nigerians abroad, irregular migration and involvement in illegal activities have severe consequences.
Reporter: Ama Marcus, ADBN News.