TheCable

Eighty-two foreigners comprising Chadians, Senegalese and Nigeriens have been expelled from Nigeria for indulging in criminal activities, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and coordinator of the national information centre, Mr Mike Omeri, disclosed on Thursday.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Omeri said the foreigners were repatriated from Jos for selling drugs and indulging in other illegal activities.

“The repatriation of the 82 foreigners comprising Chadians, Senegalese and Nigeriens was done in a peaceful manner in accordance with the law. They were repatriated because their activities were adjudged to be fostering criminality in the area. They were selling illicit drugs and participating in illegal activities. Some of them did not have valid papers and did not have any work. So the government had to be proactive,” he said.

“And it was done in a friendly atmosphere; it was not meant to challenge the freedom of movement across the sub-region.”

Omeri urged countries wishing to make political capital and rubbish the image of Nigeria and its efforts in the fight against terror to have a rethink.

“As it is in Nigeria today, it could be the turn of another country tomorrow, hence the need for collaboration and cooperation in whatever capacity,” he said.

Omeri further disclosed that Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic, Chad, Benin and Cameroun had agreed to deploy more troops to deal decisively with the problem of terrorism in the region.

“To further consolidate the successes being recorded by the Nigerian military forces in the fight against insurgency in the northeast zone of the country, the president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan GCFR on Tuesday in Niamey, Niger Republic, agreed with leaders of neighbouring republics of Niger, Chad, Benin and a representative of the republic of Cameroon to deploy more troops and conclusively deal with the menace of terrorism in the region,” he said.

“This laudable effort, which will operate a command centre led by a chief of staff, is charged with the responsibility of deploying troops to the borders of the respective countries. It is expected to come into operation in November 2014.”