TheCable

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says a plan by Germany to deport 12,000 immigrants to Nigeria will lead to “insecurity and militancy”.

Akpabio spoke on Thursday when he hosted Annette Gunther, German ambassador to Nigeria, at his office.

The senate president said there would be a need to vet these immigrants to know if they are truly Nigerians.

“The recent decision of Germany to deport illegal Nigerians back to the country, numbering 12 thousand, is something you have to look into for us, because of its security implications,” he said.

“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 crisis prone countries.

“Dumping 12 thousand 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.”

In her remarks, the German ambassador said she hopes that the Siemens deal will be Germany’s contribution to improving electricity in the country.

“We are honoured to be here today. Nigeria and Germany being the largest economies and populations in their respective continents, need to come together in their peoples’ interest,” she said.

“Nigeria is Germany’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The Siemens’ energy project is often mentioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I hope this may be our small contribution to improving electricity in the country.

“Germany is very active in so many areas like climate change and energy.”

The envoy said the security situation in Nigeria is of great concern to Germany, and that her country is willing to assist.