Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has urged the German government to refrain from deporting about 12,000 illegal migrants to Nigeria.
Akpabio who conveyed this message during a courtesy visit from the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, in Abuja, cited concerns that such actions could exacerbate security challenges within the country.
Gunther however acknowledged the economic significance of both Germany and Nigeria in their respective continents and emphasized the potential for a collaborative partnership.
“We are honoured to be here today. Nigeria and Germany being the largest economies and population in their respective continents, need to come together in their peoples’ interests. Nigeria is Germany’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa,” the German envoy said.
On his part, Akpabio noted that Nigeria is grappling with insecurity and called on Germany to work in synergy with Nigeria in the areas of security and power, to enhance the socio-political development of Nigeria.
He further urged Gunther to help Nigeria, Africa’s largest population in fighting insecurity as well as strengthening its economy.
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“We also have a problem of infiltration from other countries. 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.
“It was very difficult for us to get support from America at that time, maybe due to what they read on social media concerning us. If developed countries stop listening to social media, they would be willing to assist developing countries.
“The recent decision of Germany to deport illegal Nigerians back to the country numbering 12,000 is something you have to look into for us, because of its security implications. As a result of the current political situation in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, almost every black person in Germany, would claim to be a Nigerian because they don’t want to return to crises prone countries.
“Dumping 12,000 illegal immigrants in Nigeria would lead to the escalation of insecurity in the country. There is, therefore, the need for your country to allow our immigration officers to assess, who exactly is a Nigerian amongst them. If they allow them in here, without any kith and kin and they have to survive, the result would be nothing but militancy or insecurity,” Akpabio added.
