TheCable

The Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada has announced an indefinite suspension of its activities.  

In a statement posted on its website, the commission also said the special intervention arrangement for emergency cases “on discretionary basis” has been suspended.

The commission said it had devised a system in which citizens with emergency cases were attended to strictly by appointment that allowed a limited number of people into the chancery at a time — in compliance with the laid-down rules of physical distancing.

But it said some citizens chose to abuse the system by showing up without an appointment.

It also accused citizens of acting in an unruly manner and disturbing the peace at the chancery.

It said the situation came to a head on August 14, when a group showed up at the high commission and refused to allow embassy staff members to attend to those who had appointments.

It alleged that a female staff member was held hostage and subjected to physical abuse.

“This kind of conduct is considered unnecessarily hostile and totally unacceptable and no embassy would tolerate conduct that puts the lives of its staff members at risk,” it said.

“We are closing down the embassy and we shall be considering ways to make our premises more secure and less susceptible to unruly behaviour and violent mob action.”

It also said the closure of the air space has impaired the transportation of passport booklets into the country.

”For individuals trying to renew work and study permits, the commission asked them to apply for renewals online. At the appropriate time, applicants would be asked to submit appropriate documentation,” the commission said.

“If you do not have a valid passport when this happens you may ask for a 90 day grace period which would be granted.

“Nigerian citizens whose study or work permits have expired since March 2020 and who do not have a valid passport have a grace period that lasts until December 31st 2020. By this time we expect to have resolved some of the challenging issues that COVID-19 has created.”

In March, the Nigerian consulate in New York suspended emergency passport services owing to a shortage of booklets.

The Nigerian high commission in London also suspended passport processing services in order to limit exposure of staff and applicants to COVID-19. It later announced reopening of visa application in July.

TheCable had documented complaints by Nigerians of how difficult it is to get a Nigerian passport.

Below are some reactions to the incident:

I was so angry when we got to the high commission only to be told about their indefinite closure …after burning hard earned money. here were so many others who had flown in too from various parts of Canada.

— Dr AJ (@Dr_Jmama) August 18, 2020

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Some were on work permits that had to be renewed after they got their passports back. Yet, they were all disappointed by a high commission that should be the solace for every Nigerian in Canada.

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— Dr AJ (@Dr_Jmama) August 18, 2020

Not even a phone call, text or even email on Friday to tell us that they had shut down abruptly. Flying from where we reside to Ottawa is nearly like flying from London to Lagos to renew a passport. We burnt 1,500 Canadian dollars on flights that were futile!

— Dr AJ (@Dr_Jmama) August 18, 2020

It is a lack of values that would make you feel you owe no one any apology for making such life changing decisions without informing anyone you had coming… How can they bring that silly attitude here?

— Dr AJ (@Dr_Jmama) August 18, 2020

After sending messages about the kind of stress it took to get there just to renew a Nigerian passport, he told us that we should just go back and be "trusting God" that they will resolve issues and reopen soon.

— Dr AJ (@Dr_Jmama) August 18, 2020

I am upset because I needed to travel for a follow up myomectomy which is time dependent. My LIFE depends on this literally and I am to see the specialist in Turkey in September. Of course, no passport means no Turkish visa.

— Dr AJ (@Dr_Jmama) August 18, 2020