The House of Representatives has taken decisive action in response to a pressing concern, directing its Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri.
Their purpose is to provide the House with a comprehensive briefing on the precautionary measures implemented to safeguard Nigerians and air travelers bound for Addis Ababa.
This imperative action was prompted by the adoption of a motion titled “The Need to Investigate Alleged Victimization and Maltreatment of Nigerians in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” presented by Hon. Kingsley Chinda during a plenary session on Thursday.
Notably, several other honorable members co-sponsored this motion, underlining its significance and urgency. These co-sponsors include Hon. Abdussamad Dasukki, Hon. Laori Kwamoti Bitrus, Hon. Aliyu Madaki, Hon. Unyime Idem, Hon. Nkwonta Chris, Hon. Abbas Adogun, Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu, Hon. Ibe O. Osonwa, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, and Hon. Kelechi Nwogu.
Chinda’s motion brought to light distressing reports of alleged victimization, maltreatment, and the unwarranted detention of Nigerians, including travelers, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The situation is deeply concerning, with one Dr. Paul Ezike making a desperate plea for assistance on behalf of a Nigerian who was reportedly arrested and confined in an Ethiopian prison.
Furthermore, Chinda disclosed that numerous Nigerians currently find themselves incarcerated in Chaota Maximum Security and other prisons in Ethiopia. Many of these individuals were merely transiting through the Ethiopian Airport but were subject to arbitrary arrests, hospitalization against their will, injections of unknown substances, and subsequent detention in prison facilities.
“Nigerians in Addis Ababa and all over the world and their air travelers should be protected and should be accorded the same protection Nigeria gives to foreigners, who live in Nigeria,” he said.
The lawmaker stated that 250 Nigerians were currently serving prison terms in Ethiopia as a result of frequent attacks and may die in prison if urgent steps were not taken to save them.
“These Nigerians are not only poorly treated but are also subjected to very agonizing conditions, poor feeding and without medication,” he said.
He recalled that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) joined the rest of Africa to sign a remarkable Trade Agreement for the continent and the fact that Nigerians are industrious entrepreneurs and had spent years transacting business in Addis Ababa and air travelers contributing to their economy.
“If earlier interventions and diplomatic measures are not taken by the Nigerian government to check the incessant attacks on Nigerian in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and air travelers would be at risk,” he stressed.