TheCable

A group known as the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) says there are over 5,000 Nigerians in 13 prisons in Benin Republic.

TheCable is yet to verify the claim.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, Igboayaka Igboayaka, OYC president, said the Nigerians in these prisons are aged between 20 and 50.

Igboayaka said many of them are innocent and do legitimate businesses in the French-speaking country.

“It is shocking that an estimated over 5,000 Nigerians in which over 98% are Youth of average age of 25 to 50 years, and 95% are innocent Nigerians languishing in thirteen (13) prisons in Benin Republic,” he said.

“It may interest the general public and federal government of Nigeria to know that in the above estimated 5,000 Nigerians languishing in the aforementioned Prisons in Benin Republic, about 5% are being alleged of frivolous crimes by Republic of Benin without any evidence of crime but 95% are totally innocent Nigerians who do legitimate businesses in Benin Republic with legitimate and verifiable sources of income.

“Some of them were those who traveled from other countries for a business trip to Benin Republic.”

The OYC president said the relevant government agencies should investigate and take action accordingly.

“We look forward to the official action of the Federal Government of Nigeria, concerned agencies and other offices to investigate and intervene on the illegal arrest, detention and wanton killings going on against innocent Nigerian Youths in Benin Republic for immediate intervention to rescue and evacuate them,” he added.

“We therefore charge everyone to join the cause for justice for innocent Nigerians in the Republic of Benin Prisons.

“Injury to one is injury to all.”