Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, has pleaded with the German government to reconsider deporting approximately 12,000 illegal migrants to Nigeria, expressing concerns about the potential escalation of security challenges in the country.
The plea came during a courtesy visit by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gunther acknowledged the economic ties between Germany and Nigeria, calling for collaboration in the interests of both nations.
“We are honoured to be here today. Nigeria and Germany being the largest economies and population in their respective continents, need to come together in their peoples’ interests. Nigeria is Germany’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa,” the German envoy said.
In response, Akpabio highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with insecurity and appealed to Germany for cooperation in security and power sectors to foster socio-political development.
Akpabio specifically urged Gunther to assist Nigeria, Africa’s largest population, in combating insecurity and strengthening its economy.
“We also have a problem of infiltration from other countries. We require assistance from Germany in the area of security because when we had the Boko Haram issues in the North East, it might not have escalated to the level it did if we had the support of major players like Germany and others.
“It was very difficult for us to get support from America at that time, maybe due to what they read on social media concerning us. If developed countries stop listening to social media, they would be willing to assist developing countries,” he said.
He emphasized the security implications of Germany’s decision to deport 12,000 illegal migrants of Nigerian origin.
“The recent decision of Germany to deport illegal Nigerians back to the country numbering 12,000 is something you have to look into for us, because of its security implications. 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 crises prone countries.
“Dumping 12,000 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,” Akpabio pleaded.
