Ill-Treatment of Nigerians Abroad: Group Calls for Government Intervention

Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Transformation and Orientation Initiative, a advocacy group, has condemned the continued mistreatment of Nigerians in diaspora, describing the situation as alarming. The group visited the headquarters of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja to protest the general maltreatment of Nigerian citizens abroad, with a specific focus on the detention of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji in Benin Republic. According to DAILY POST, Nigerians had recently staged a protest at the Benin Republic Embassy in Abuja, urging the Nigerian government to intervene in Pastor Egbaji's case and address the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in several countries. Samson Eze, media coordinator of the group, led the delegation to NiDCOM and stated that over 5,000 Nigerians are currently detained in Benin Republic, in addition to Pastor Egbaji. Eze expressed disappointment that the Nigerian government has not taken sufficient action to address the situation, despite the country's proximity to Nigeria. He called on the government to apply the principle of reciprocity and demonstrate its power in response to the unacceptable behavior from the authorities in Benin Republic. The group also suggested that Pastor Egbaji may have been set up due to his popularity in the country, and lamented the hatred and victimization of Nigerians in diaspora. Responding, NiDCOM spokesman Abdur-Rahman Balogun assured the group that the government has intervened in Pastor Egbaji's case by providing additional legal representation, which he believes will help in his case. Balogun stated that the government will apply diplomatic efforts to ensure justice for the Nigerian detainee, but advised Nigerians to be law-abiding in their host countries. He emphasized that the government's intervention would be more effective if cases against Nigerians abroad are not based on criminality and infringement of the laws of their host countries. The group's visit to NiDCOM is a follow-up to their previous protests and calls for the government to take action against the maltreatment of Nigerians in diaspora. The continued detention of Pastor Egbaji and other Nigerians in Benin Republic has sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many calling for the government to take decisive action to protect its citizens abroad.